We pay tribute to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born on the 10th of June 1921) and died today, on the 9th of April 2021, at the age of 99.
Born in to the Greek and Danish royal family, he was exiled from Greece when he was 18 months old. After educating in France, Germany and Scotland, he joined the Royal Navy at the beginning of the second world war. He was one of the best cadets in his class, and he quickly ascended the ranks within the Navy. In October 1942, he became first lieutenant of HMS Wallace, at 21 years old one of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy. He was present in the Tokyo Bay aboard HMS Whelp when the Japanese surrendered, formally ending World War Two. Philip returned to the United Kingdom on the ship in January 1946.
Queen Elizabeth first met Philip in 1939, when she visited the Britannia Royal Naval College, where Philip was completing a term as a cadet. They began exchanging letters with each other, and the soon to be Queen fell in love. After returning
from the frontline, Philip asked the King for his daughter’s hand in marriage. 1 year later, in 1947, he abandoned his Greek and Danish royal titles, marrying Princess Elizabeth and becoming the Duke of Edinburgh. When Elizabeth became Queen, he became her royal consort, accompanying her to ceremonies such as the State Opening of Parliament in various countries, state dinners, and tours abroad. He is the longest-serving royal consort to any British sovereign.
He devoted much of his time to charity. Philip was patron of some 800 organisations, particularly focused on the environment, industry, sport, and education. Notable ventures included being the UK president of the World Wildlife Fund and setting up the Duke of Edinburgh award, in order to give young people “a sense of responsibility to themselves and their communities”.
Prince Philip served courageously in the armed forces during the greatest threat to the nation, before devoting his time to his beloved wife, and various charitable organisations around the world. A truly great man and a great Briton- may he rest in peace.