The latest news, pictures and updates on Prince Philip following his death aged 99 in April 2021. The Duke of Edinburgh married Queen Elizabeth II in 1947. Together they had four children – Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. His mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg and his father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark.
The Duke of the Edinburgh served in the Second World War and was awarded the Greek War Cross of Valour for his participation in the Battle of Crete. He was also mentioned in dispatches for his service during the Battle of Cape Matapan, where he saved his ship from a night bomber attack by spotting the enemy vessel. The Prince remained the Lord High Admiral, titular head of the Royal Navy, until his death. Philip began his naval career at the Britannia Royal Naval College, in Dartmouth, in 1939, where he won two prizes for being the best cadet.
Earning his stripes he then went to the battleship HMS Ramillies in 1940 as a midshipman and spent six months in the Indian Ocean. Philip’s actions saw him rise through the ranks, and at 21 he became one of the youngest officers in the Royal Navy to be made First Lieutenant and second-in-command of a ship in 1942.
In 1944, he earned First Lieutenant and second in command of the new Fleet Destroyer HMS Whelp, at that point he joined the British Pacific Fleet in the Indian Ocean.
In 1946, Philip returned to the UK and asked King George VI if he could marry Elizabeth’s and it was so.
He served in the Navy until 1951, Philip was forced to step down when his wife became Queen.
2011, the Queen made him Lord High Admiral, titular head of the Royal Navy, as he turned 90. Over the coming days funeral arrangements will be made for Philip, who was the longest-reigning consort in British history.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: ‘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
Source:MetroUK
