Prince Philip: A life in pictures from 1921-2021
The Duke of Edinburgh remembered in pictures
The Duke of Edinburgh will be honoured in a memorial at Westminster Abbey today, Tuesday 29 March.
The Service of Thanksgiving will be attended by most senior members of the royal family, including the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Buckingham Palace has also confirmed the Queen will attend the memorial after recovering from a bout of Covid and struggling with mobility issues.
Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband of 73 years, died on 9 April 2021 at Windsor Castle.
Philip’s funeral at St George’s Chapel in Windsor last year took place during Covid restrictions and was limited to just 30 people. The Queen sat alone during the farewell ceremony due to social distancing measures, and singing was banned at the time.
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II were married for 74 years, and had four children together, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and eight grandchildren.
A twelve year old Prince Philip of Greece (2nd from left) takes part in an historical pageant at Gordonstoun School, Moray, Scotland
Philip married Princess Elizabeth in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947, four months after the couple’s engagement was announced.
The Duke had met the future queen 13 years previously at the wedding of Philip’s cousin Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark and Elizabeth’s uncle Prince George, Duke of Kent, in 1934 when they were both children.
The pair were third cousins through Queen Victoria and second cousins through King Christian IX of Denmark.
For the couple’s gold wedding anniversary, Philip made a rare speech about his marriage to the Queen.
A rare picture of Prince Philip of Greece at the public school of Gordonstoun, Elgin, Scotland
The Duke spoke about the importance of tolerance in a relationship, especially when times are “difficult”.
He said: “I think the main lesson that we have learnt is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient of any happy marriage.
5 December 1946: The Duke of Edinburgh, as a serving officer in the Royal Navy
“It may not be quite so important when things are going well, but it is absolutely vital when the going gets difficult. You can take it from me that the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.”
Before marrying into the royal family, Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu, before moving to France. As an adult he joined the Royal Navy, and served in the Second World War.
The Duke reached the rank of commander before leaving active military service in 1952.
Philip Mountbatten, prior to his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, batting at the nets during cricket practice while in the Royal Navy, July 31st 1947
Prince Philip was the chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, an international youth programme, which sees young adults take part in self-improvement activities such as volunteering and undertaking expeditions.
He retired from public life in 2017 after decades of service.
Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, prior to his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, working at his desk after returning to his Royal Navy duties at the Petty Officers Training Centre in Corsham, Wiltshire, August 1st 1947
20 November 1947: Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh pose for the press at Buckingham Palace, London, after their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey
Princess Elizabeth enjoying a stroll with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh in their first public appearance since their wedding. 23/11/47.
1 Jan 1947 : Princess Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during their honeymoon in Malta, where he was stationed with the Royal Navy
15 December 1948: Princess Elizabeth and The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with Prince Charles after his christening at Buckingham Palace.
21 October 1950: Princess Elizabeth holding her daughter Princess Anne at her christening in Buckingham Palace, with the Duke of Edinburgh at her side
The Princess Royal in the arms of Queen Elizabeth II, with The Duke of Edinburgh, holding The Prince of Wales, in the grounds of Clarence House in 1951.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh watch a cricket match at Highclere Castle, Highclere, Hampshire, 3rd August 1958
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Balmoral in 1972 to celebrate their Silver Wedding anniversary. Balmoral in the Highlands, one of the royals’ favourite places, held many memories for the Duke of Edinburgh. The Queen was once said to never be happier than when she was at Balmoral, Philip, too, loved the outdoor life that was synonymous with their annual break, which stretched from the end of July into October.
4 August 1982: The Royal family at Buckingham Palace, London, on the day of Prince William's christening. Standing (from left): the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh; seated (from left): Queen Elizabeth II, the Princess of Wales holding Prince William, and the Queen Mother
the Prince of Wales and his new bride Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, with their families (L-R back row) Prince Harry, Prince William, Tom and Laura Parker Bowles (L-R front row) Duke of Edinburgh, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla's father Major Bruce Shand, in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony, April 9, 2005 in Windsor, England
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip walk down the aisle in Westminster Abbey, in London, 19 November 2007, to attend a service to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary
Prince Philip in 2013 awarding Afghanistan service medals at 40 Commando in Taunton.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our new commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies