Messages on social media and floral tributes continue to pour in following the death of Prince Philip.
The Duke of Edinburgh passed away peacefully last week at the age of 99. Many across the country have mourned his loss, while many have been remembering his life and career.
A statement released by the Royal Family when announcing his death stated:
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen, announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully (last week) at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
More floral and decorative tributes have been placed outside Windsor Castle over the weekend to honour Prince Philip, including an unusual carved watermelon.
Spotted this remarkable structure amongst the flowers for #PrincePhilip at Windsor Castle: a carved watermelon 🍉
“Prince Philip, 1921-2021 Rest in Peace”.
Astonishing skill and amazing detail 🔪 pic.twitter.com/uV3B8lwLDX— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) April 12, 2021
The Duke of Edinburgh became an important figure in Armed Forces life, opening @PoppyLegion’s annual Field of Remembrance at @wabbey for many years and visiting service personnel and their families in the UK and around the Commonwealth regularly throughout his working life. pic.twitter.com/1DfAEJzExL
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 12, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/barackobama/posts/10158565099261749
Here, we look at a timeline of the Duke of Edinburgh’s life.
Prince Philip was born June 10, 1921 in Corfu, Greece. He was the only child of Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenburg.
After moving to the UK in 1928 and attending the Cheam school in Surrey, Prince Philip began to think of his hopes for the future.
Moving schools several times throughout his childhood had a tragic impact on him, as he was separated from his immediate family.
In 1942, he was made one of the youngest lieutenants in the Royal Navy. He served aboard the HMS Wallace, second-in-command.
Then, in 1945, he was posted on the HMS Whelp in Tokyo Bay. The following year, he proposed to Queen Elizabeth, renouncing his Greek citizenship.
In 1947, Prince Philip and the Queen married. He became the Duke of Edinburgh, and began his role as a Royal representative.
The couple moved to Malta, where he upheld his duty as a serving Navy officer.
In 1949, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and became second-in-command on the HMS Chequers, operating in Malta.
Prince Philip was appointed Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps in 1952, alongside maintaining the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Cadet Force and Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training corps.
In 1953, he was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet whilst being appointed Field Marshal and Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
After touring the commonwealth in 1956, Prince Philip established the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme which more than a million young people have completed since its creation.
In 1957, the Queen made him prince of the UK.
Prince Philip made his debut on television in 1958, presenting The Restless Sphere: The Story of The Geophysical Year.
In 1959, he chaired the judging panel for The Prince Philip Designer’s Prize.
In 1961, he was appointed as the first president of the World Wide Fund for Nature.
In the same year, Prince Philip became the first member of the Royal Family to be interviewed on TV, appearing on Panorama to talk about Commonwealth Technical Training Week.
In 2009, he became the longest serving consort in British history.
He stepped down from his duties in 2010 as president and patrons for many of the organisations he worked for before retiring.
In 2016, he awarded Kylie Minogue the Britain-Australia Society Award.
In 2017, he retired from his public duties aged 90, and enjoyed his retirement the year after.
On April 9, 2021, the Royal Family announced his death.
