The Philip I knew was the best of company – and the best of men
As the Duke s biographer, Gyles Brandreth found him to be a brave man who showed unexpected moments of sensitivity
Gyles Brandreth knew the Duke of Edinburgh for almost 50 years
In the summer of 2000, in the run-up to the celebrations marking the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, I asked the Duke of Edinburgh, then 79, if he fancied the idea of living to be as old as his mother-in-law. “God Almighty,” he harrumphed, “I can’t imagine anything more ghastly. I’ll be dead long before then, I hope.”
PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE of EDINBURGH: 10 June 1921 - 9 April, 2021
No member of the royal family has visited Australia as often as Prince Philip. Over 71 years, from his first visit to Sydney in 1940 to his last in 2011, he seemed to enjoy his encounters – with his throwaway lines and sharp asides – and Australians, for their part, seemed to appreciate that irreverent directness.
Prince Philip over the years.
His first visit was to Sydney in 1940, when he was a 19-year-old junior officer with HMS Ramillies. He proved a popular party guest. But he was never pretentious. When Sydney man-about-town, Marcel Dekyvere, was introduced by a friend to this young British sailor – “Meet Philip of Greece” he snapped back, “Yes, and I’m Louis of France.” In 1942, he returned, a golden-bearded sub-lieutenant with the destroyer HMS Wallace.
The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, husband of Britain s Queen Elizabeth, has passed away.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II’s husband of 73 years, died on Friday at Windsor Castle. He was 99.
The royal family confirmed the Duke of Edinburgh s death on Friday in a statement. 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, the statement reads.
An announcement about Philip s death was placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace on Friday.
Prince Philip s life in Scotland from schooldays at Gordonstoun to royal role
Prince Philip s association with Scotland is long- down to his royal title the Duke of Edinburgh
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Video report by ITV News Correspondent Rebecca Barry
Generations of Duke of Edinburgh s Award participants have paid tribute to Prince Philip following the announcement of his death.
The charity, dedicated to building the skills of young people from all communities, was founded by Prince Philip 65 years ago and is likely to be judged as one of his greatest legacies.
The Duke of Edinburgh s Award charity and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation paid tribute to its founder and patron in a statement describing the scheme as one of The Duke’s most remarkable achievements .
The Duke of Edinburgh was inspired to establish the scheme by his old headmaster, Dr. Kurt Hahn. Credit: PA