Full Title: His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich, Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Extra Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Grand Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand, Extra Companion of the Queen's Service Order, Knight of the Order of Australia, Royal Chief of the Order of Logohu, Extraordinary Companion of the Order of Canada, Extraordinary Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Canadian Forces Decoration, Lord of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Personal Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty King George VI, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom
Known as: His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Name at birth: His Royal Highness Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark
Date of birth: 10/06/1921
Did you know?... that he was carried out of Greece as a baby in an oranges crate.
Prince Philip was born in Greece, but his family was exiled whilst he was still a very young child. He was born a member of the Danish and Greek royal families. He was educated in France, Germany and the UK, where he famously attended Gordonstoun school in Scotland. He grew up away from his father, and also spent the majority of his childhood away from his mother, Princess Alice, who went on to shelter jews in the second world war, and become a nun, starting her own order. Later on he joined the British Royal Navy, and fought in the Second World War, reaching the rank of First Lieutenant by the end of the war. After the war, Prince Philip became engaged to his third cousin, the then Princess Elizabeth, with whom he had started a relationship during the war. They married in 1947. Previous to the marriage, the Prince renounced his titles and claim to the Greek and Danish thrones, and became a naturalised British Subject. The King, George VI, allowed Philip to become HRH Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and after ascending the throne in 1952, his wife made him have, "place, pre-eminence and precedence," next to her, "on all occasions and in all meetings, except where otherwise provided by Act of Parliament." In 1957 the Queen made him an official Prince of the UK in his own right.
After continuing his role in the Navy, including a posting to Malta during which his wife accompanied him, the Duke became Prince Consort when his wife became Queen in 1952. The Duke carved out a role for himself, supporting the Queen at ceremonial occasions, and helping her carry out her charity work, but also carrying out his own work in his own right. The Duke took on many patronages and presidencies of charities and organisations. He also created the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a scheme by which young people carry out different activities, including volunteering, learning skills, physical activities, and expeditions. Levels of Bronze, Silver, and Gold can be achieved, and until recently the Duke personally gave out all the Gold awards himself. Now, since the Duke’s retirement, the Earl of Wessex oversees the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
The Duke is known for his witty comments, and forthright nature. Some of his comments could be said to have been a step too far, but for many of them he has become a national treasure. In 2017, the Duke retired from his public role, at the age of 96. His hobbies include polo and carriage driving, on the latter of which the Duke has written a book.
I think the Duke has played an incredible role within the royal family, and has struck the difficult balance between supporting the Queen and taking a secondary position, and, staying true to himself and allowing his own character and work to shine. How has he struck that balance?
It is difficult to know how he has managed this balance. I think it is because he accepted the circumstances that he is in, and has grown into his role. He has taken his time, using the role he has to merge his public duties and private interests, and done it all with the focus of serving the Queen and the country. He hasn't been afraid to make suggestions and changes, and pursued them to fruition when he believes it is for the best. He has thrown full energy at his role,even if it was not a role he envisioned happening quite so soon, as his wife assumed the throne at so young an age. If he hadn't been himself, and known where he needed to stay true to his personality and express himself, he may well have struggled, and not been able to fulfil his role. He worked out where he needed to be himself, and where he needed to change. What an extraordinary achievement.