A tribute to His Royal Highness Prince Philip on his death

The Duke of Edinburgh on a visit to The Royal Society of Edinburgh to present Royal Medals. Credit: Gary Doak/Alamy

With great sadness, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving consort in British history, on 9 April 2021

Prince Philip was born in Corfu on the 10th June 1921, to parents Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg. In 1939, as the Second World War loomed, Prince Philip left his much-talked-about Scottish school – Gordonstoun – to become a cadet at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon. While there he escorted the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret during a royal tour of the college.

By 1943, Prince Philip had spent more time in the company of the Royal Family and, after a Christmas visit, Princess Elizabeth placed a photograph of him on her dressing table. Three years later, Prince Philip asked King George VI for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The engagement to Princess Elizabeth was officially announced on 9th July, 1946, they were married in 1947 and their first child, Prince Charles, was born in 1948.

Having given up a dazzling naval career to promote his wife’s role as head of the British monarchy, his support to The Queen throughout their 73-year marriage was tremendous, and above all of his other achievements, this will be one of his most lasting legacies. Her Majesty has paid tribute to her husband in the past, describing him fondly as her “strength and stay”.

Indeed the role he played at the centre of national life for decades means Prince Philip holds a special place in the nation’s hearts too. He completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952 and only retired from royal duties four years ago.

Today, the statement from Buckingham Palace echoed these sentiments: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”