Prince Philip’s life in 50 photos

In 1956, Prince Philip started what the British refer to as an “awards scheme” to help young people discover new interests and skills and be recognised for their achievements. To earn the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, participants must complete four sections, which involve community, fitness, and personal challenges; competitions are open to youths “regardless of ability, gender, background or location.” In 2006, the Duke accepted a Royal Charter from his wife, the Queen, for his own efforts, honouring the 50th anniversary of the organisation’s founding. The ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace.

In 2007, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth celebrated their very impressive diamond anniversary – that’s 60 years of marriage. During a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, Archbishop Rowan Williams said, “Every marriage is a public event, but some couples have to live more than others in the full light of publicity. We are probably more aware than ever these days of the pressures this brings. But it also means that we can give special thanks for the very public character of the witness and the sign offered to us by this marriage, and what it has meant to nation and Commonwealth over the decades.”

Though the British royal family doesn’t actually govern modern-day England, the Queen still opens Parliament each year, and there is a lot of pomp and circumstance attached to this ceremony. According to Royal.UK, “The Queen travels to the Palace of Westminster in a State coach, escorted by the Household Cavalry. The Imperial State Crown and regalia travels in front of the Queen in a carriage of its own.” From there, she puts on her royal robes and takes the throne. She sat alongside Prince Philip in 2016, but since then, Prince Charles has taken his special seat.

When the Queen of England turns 90, it’s time to party. For this particular occasion in 2016, Prince Philip accompanied his bride to the Patrons Lunch on the Mall in London. Though the Queen turned 90 in April, the event was held in June with a whopping 10,000 guests. In fact, there was an entire weekend of events to mark the major milestone. The luncheon didn’t only honour Queen Elizabeth; it also gave a nod to the more than 600 non-profits and organisations she supports. Look at how sweetly Philip supports her back as they wave to onlookers.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Order of the British Empire in 2017 at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The empire was crafted in 1917 by her father, King George V, to mark civilian achievement at varying degrees. Twice a year, Queen Elizabeth provides lists of the people she would like to honour. There are different rankings, like Knight or Dame Commander of the Order and Officer of the Order. Think along the lines of someone like Dame Helen Mirren, who was honoured by the Queen.

For years, it has been customary for the royals to descend upon Sandringham to attend a Christmas church service. The mass is held at St. Mary Magdalene Church, close to the royal estate, and it’s typically a big to-do to watch the family walk there. In 2017, we could even spy Meghan Markle making the trek behind the Queen and Prince Philip after becoming engaged to Prince Harry. In 2019, Prince Philip fell ill over the holidays and was unable to make this tradition, much to the concern and dismay of royal watchers.

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In 2017, Prince Philip announced that he was taking a step back from public life as a royal. The same year, this stunning painting of him standing in the halls of Buckingham Palace was released. According to Sky News, the Duke of Edinburgh had carried out 22,191 single engagements since his wife’s coronation in 1952. That doesn’t include the countless events he performed alongside Queen Elizabeth. The fact that he acknowledged this was the right move for him, personally, makes a huge statement to his desire to maintain his health as best he possibly can.

Stepping back from public work doesn’t mean Prince Philip had any intention of missing his family’s major life events. He was a happy participant at the May 2018 wedding of his grandson Harry to Meghan Markle, which took place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The nuptials marked a modernising change to the royal family, and as with so many of England’s historical events of the last 90 years, Philip was front and centre to witness it.

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It was wedding fever for the royals in 2018. Less than six months after Harry and Meghan’s big day, Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank. The wedding also took place at St. George’s Chapel, with Prince Philip escorting the Queen to the family affair. Eugenie is the daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, who divorced in May 1996.

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And here was yet another blessed occasion for Prince Philip to attend. This photo shows him back at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston. Gabriella is the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, the Queen’s cousin. The wedding, which happened in May 2019, shows Prince Philip in seemingly good spirits. Several months later, he was hospitalised over the winter holidays in an abundance of caution after falling ill. He remained there for several days before returning home.