The Duke of Edinburgh at 90: a tragic childhood - Telegraph BBC News - Prince Philip turns 90 and vows to 'slow down' edit changed title to reflect general info about the Duke of Edinburgh
I watched this last night & really enjoyed it. BBC iPlayer - The Duke at 90 I too enjoyed the interview, I've always liked the way he speaks his mind and to some degree let's others work it out for themselves. You have to be careful with the way television editors deliver these programs, but I think he has probably been the backbone of the royal family for many years.
He would be a very valuable member indeed. Imagine the insider knowledge he would have from people like Mountbatten!
I was reading a list of his, most definately non P.C., quotes this morning and it really brightened up my day. Brilliant!!
Excellent reading but the video link will not play outside the UK or at least not here in Germany. States, "Not available in your area." Regards Tom
Perhaps we should not dismiss the man so easily. He saw the Elephant. When I said he would be an honoured member here, name in blue, I meant it sincerely. Naval service After leaving Gordonstoun in 1939, Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy, graduating the next year from the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, as the top cadet in his course.[17] He was commissioned as a midshipman in January 1940. Philip spent four months on the battleship HMS Ramillies, protecting convoys of the Australian Expeditionary Force in the Indian Ocean, followed by shorter postings on HM Ships Kent, Shropshire and in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). After the invasion of Greece by Italy in October 1940, he was transferred from the Indian Ocean to the battleship HMS Valiant in the Mediterranean Fleet.[18] Amongst other engagements, he was involved in the Battle of Crete, was mentioned in despatches for his service during the Battle of Cape Matapan where he saved his ship from a night bomber attack. He devised a plan to launch a raft with smoke floats that successfully distracted the bombers allowing the ship to slip away unnoticed.[19] Philip was also awarded the Greek War Cross of Valour.[17] Duties of lesser glory included stoking the boilers of the troop transport ship RMS Empress of Russia.[20] Prince Philip was promoted to sub-lieutenant after a series of courses at Portsmouth in which he gained the top grade in four out of five sections.[21] In June 1942, he was appointed to the V and W class destroyer and flotilla leader, HMS Wallace, which was involved in convoy escort tasks on the east coast of Britain, as well as the allied invasion of Sicily.[19] Promotion to lieutenant followed on 16 July 1942. In October of the same year, at just 21 years of age, he became first lieutenant of HMS Wallace and one of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy. In 1944, he moved on to the new destroyer, HMS Whelp, where he saw service with the British Pacific Fleet in the 27th Destroyer Flotilla.[22][23] He was present in Tokyo Bay when the instrument of Japanese surrender was signed. In January 1946, Philip returned to the United Kingdom on the Whelp, and was posted as an instructor at HMS Royal Arthur, the Petty Officers' School in Corsham, Wiltshire.[24]
Hi Tom, Try Youtube you might get more luck with that and yes I did see this also enjoyed it a lot.... Cheers Tom
I watched it a bit last night and was really impressed by him. I only was aware of the Gaffe prone person that the media portray. i didnt realise just how progressive he was in the 50s and 60s in terms of how the Royal Family should be viewed. Excellent from what I saw.
Brilliant Guy! When my son went to get his Duke of Endinburgh Gold award, he talked to each and every person recieving the award, that day he left a lasting impression on those youngsters. Had a very good naval career until events overtook him, still think he would have made it to the top.
Perhaps we should not dismiss the man so easily. He saw the Elephant. When I said he would be an honoured member here, name in blue, I meant it sincerely. So did I.
Queen makes Duke Lord High Admiral From: AAP June 11, 2011 1:00AM SOME women might give their elderly husband a set of handkerchiefs or a bottle of whisky for their birthday, but for Prince Philip's 90th the Queen has bestowed a title, making him honorary head of the United Kingdom's navy. Yesterday, on his 90th birthday, the Duke of Edinburgh became Lord High Admiral, a position held by the Queen since 1964. The office of the Lord High Admiral dates back to the 14th century and was originally responsible for aspects of navy policy. From 1628 the position became honorary, with overall control of the navy handed to a board. The conferment recognises Prince Philip's naval service, which ended in the early 1950s, making way for royal duties. During World War II Prince Philip served with the Mediterranean and Pacific fleets, and reached the rank of commander. "This gift to the Duke of Edinburgh on the occasion of his 90th birthday keeps alive the tradition of the monarch investing the office as an honour," a statement from Buckingham Palace reads. "The official ceremony will take place at a later date."
Many tales of the duke of Edinburgh this is just one, The tale goes that one evening Her Majesty and the duke were holding a private dinner party for a few guests. One through illness made apologies and had to decline. The duke realising that the captain of the Queen's guard was of his regiment. The duke got his private secretary to order the officer to attend at 1930hrs for 2000hrs. The major in his mess kit was chatting to his colonel- the duke. The duke enquired, 'tell me major why are you not wearing boiled shirt?' The major will forever see the funny side - 'ah well Sir, we only wear boiled shirt on special occasions' The duke it was said was unable to contain his laughter'