Prince Philip's royal career
CBC News | Posted: May 18, 2018 3:20 PM | Last Updated: April 9, 2021
Philip officially bowed out of public life with a final solo appearance in August 2017
Prince Philip was the longest-serving royal consort in British history. Here, The Duke of Edinburgh and the young Princess Elizabeth walk on the grounds of Broadlands in southern England on their honeymoon in 1947.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2007. Here, they mark the event by recreating their honeymoon walk on the estate of Lord Mountbatten, the duke's uncle, 60 years later.
The Queen in her coronation gown and Prince Philip in the uniform of a colonel-in-chief of the Royal Canadian Regiment present a royal picture as they drive in an open carriage to open Canada's Parliament on Oct. 14, 1957.
Philip was made one of the youngest full lieutenants in the Royal Navy. Here, the prince works at a desk at the Petty Officers Training Centre at Corsham Wilts on Aug. 1, 1947, a few months before his wedding to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and Philip pose on their wedding day on Nov. 20, 1947, in Buckingham Palace.
Elizabeth and Philip sit with their children Charles and Anne in 1951.
In 1952, Philip was made commander in the Royal Navy but gave up his command after King George VI died and Elizabeth became Queen. Here, Philip accompanies Elizabeth on her coronation in Westminster Abbey — the first worldwide televised event — on June 2, 1953.
Philip was known for a few gaffes throughout the years. To Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 (dressed in traditional robes) he said, 'You look like you're ready for bed.'
In Australia, the prince asked an Australian Aborigine if his people still threw spears at each other. Here, the couple watch Tjapukai Aborigines light a ceremonial fire during a cultural performance in 2002 on their Commonwealth tour.
Philip served as the president or patron of nearly 800 organizations. Here, student Ilisten Jones, left, reacts to a comment during a visit in Los Angeles in 2000. The school is involved in the Congressional Award organization, modelled after the Duke of Edinburgh Award initiated in Great Britain in 1956, which emphasizes community service.
An avid sportsman, the prince said age forced him to take up carriage-driving, which he jokingly called a "geriatric sport." Here, he drives his horses in the Carriage Driving Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2002.
During Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, the Queen offered a tribute to the royal consort. "He has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years," she told the crowds. Here, the couple leave a private party for the Queen.
When the prince turned 90, the Queen surprised him by making him Lord High Admiral, the titular head of the Royal Navy — fitting, since he served with the Mediterranean and Pacific fleets during the Second World War and gave up his naval career to be her consort in 1952. Here, he smiles after formally receiving the title.
The Queen and Philip wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after returning from the Trooping the Colour ceremony, marking the Queen's official birthday in London in 2011.
Prince Philip, in his role as Captain General, Royal Marines, attends a parade to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge, on the Buckingham Palace Forecourt, in central London on Aug. 2, 2017. Philip made his final solo appearance at the official engagement, before retiring from active public life.
A painting of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, by Australian-born artist Ralph Heimans, is photographed in the year of his retirement from public engagements. The portrait is set in the Grand Corridor at Windsor Castle with Philip depicted wearing the sash of the Order of the Elephant, Denmark's highest-ranking honour in England.
Philip gestures as he arrives to attend the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2017.
Prince Philip was admitted to hospital in December 2019 for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition, raising concerns about the Duke of Edinburgh's health.
Philip talks to Prince Harry as they leave the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor at St George's Chapel in May 2019.