Philip was also stationed in the region when he served in the royal navy and during the Second World War he was stationed in sri lanka. He visited india on a number of occasions with her majesty the queen. One of the most notable trips being in 1961 when they came here and they were guest of india and the annual republic day parade. During that trip, they also visited the taj mahal and played polo. Prince philip didntjust have those official connections, he also had some strong personal connections in india. He was very close to the royal family and the story goes that every year on his birthday, the royalfamily would send him a box of alphonso mangoes, so much did he enjoy eating them. Talking to other people here, many indians remember the impact the Duke Of Edinburgh scheme had in their schools years ago. It was a big thing here as well and i was talking to one woman who remembers getting her duke of Edinburgh Award from Prince Philip himself, he was visiting the school at the time
You very shortly, we will be hear with you into the next few hours, but coming up, we will have a special news paper review, some of the reaction and commentary of the dukes life, that is coming up with my colleague clive myrie. Stay with us for that on bbc news. After a long and eventful life Prince Philip, the Duke Of Edinburgh, has died at the age of 99. He was by some distance the longest serving Royal Consort in British History, a role hed made his own. From the day of his marriage to the future queen and throughout her long reign, he was at her side in good times and bad. He has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years, and i and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know. The Duke Of Edinburghs award scheme for young people isjust one of the achievements he will be remembered for, and for which he has received praise from political leaders. Like the expert Carriage Driver that he was, h