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.
