Prince Philip's military career
As we mourn the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, we look back on his military service
Last updated 9th Apr 2021
As the nation mourns the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, we take a look back at his incredible military career. Prince Philip's military career began way back in 1939 when he joined the Royal Navy cadets where he won awards for being the best cadet.
Having completed his training, in 1940 he embarked on six months aboard a battleship in the Indian Ocean, before quickly climbing up the military ranks.
Despite his Naval career coming to a premature end in 1951 due to his father-in-law King George VI’s deteriorating health, he was made Commander of the Royal Navy in June 1952.
From saving lives in WWII to various honours and appointments, here's everything you need to know about the Duke's eventful military career...
The Duke of Edinburgh and World War Two
During WWII Prince Philip fought in the Battle of Cape Matapan, having joined the HMS Valiant battleship at the age of 17, charged with control of the ship’s searchlight.
For his work on this battleship, he was recognised in the despatches after spotting an unexpected enemy ship approaching.
By 1942, at the age of 21, he was First Lieutenant of the HSM Wallace making him one of the youngest officers in the Royal Navy to hold such a rank.
Prince Philip: A war hero
Prince Philip has been credited by fellow veterans for his quick thinking in order to save the lives of those onboard HMS Wallace, where the prince was first lieutenant.
According to Harry Heargraves who was onboard the ship, the Duke of Edinburgh’s plan to set a wooden raft on fire and throw it overboard succeeded in confusing the German bomber planes, encouraging them to target the raft rather than the battleship which was able to sail to safety.
Prince Philip's military appointments
Over the years Prince Philip has been appointed various military roles such as Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Cadet Force and Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps.
For his 90th Birthday, the Queen made him Lord High Admiral, titular head of the Royal Navy.
In 2017, his grandson Prince Harry took over as Captain General Royal Marines, however gave up the title in 2021 due to his decision to step back from life as a working Royal.
The Duke of Edinburgh's life in pictures:
Prince Philip was born in 1921
Prince Philip of Greece was born 10 June 1921 in Corfu to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg.
Prince Philip attended school in Scotland
The Prince was one of the first pupils at Gordonstoun boarding school in Moray, Scotland, attending from 1933-1939. He was the first of three generations of royals to attend the school, with Prince Charles boarding in the 1960s, and Princess Anne's children enrolling in the 1990s.
The engagement of Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth
Prince Philip's engagement to Princess Elizabeth was announced on 9 July 1946, after he asked permission from her father, King George VI. In order to marry into the British Royal family, Prince Philip became a British citizen, and renounced his Greek title in favour of Mountbatten, the anglicised version of his mother's name. He also agreed not to invite his sisters to the wedding, as they were all married to Germans and tensions were still high following the war.
The Royal Wedding
Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 in Westminster Abbey. He received new titles, including the Duke of Edinburgh, for which he is best known, and his Royal Highness. It is estimated around 200 million people tuned into the BBC radio broadcast of the wedding.
First time father
In 1948, Prince Philip became a father for the first time when Princess Elizabeth gave birth to Prince Charles. Princess Anne was born two years later.
Consort to the monarch
King George VI died 6 February 1952, making his oldest daughter Princess Elizabeth, Queen. This made the Duke of Edinburgh consort to Queen Elizabeth II. The coronation took place on 2 June 1953 and was an important feature in making television a mainstream medium, with over 20 million people tuning in to watch.
The Duke of Edinburgh award
In 1956, Prince Philip launched the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, which aims to prepare young people for adult life by developing essential skills, confidence and resilience. Today, hundreds of thousands of young people complete the award every year across 144 nations.
Meeting JFK
In 1961, a banquet was held at Buckingham Palace in honour of American President John F Kennedy. This was the President's last visit to Buckingham Palace before he was assassinated two years later. Prince Philip attended his funeral.
A family of six
In 1960 Prince Andrew was born, followed by Prince Edward in 1964. This completed the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's immediate family.
Royal Family documentary
In 1969, a television documentary entitled 'Royal Family' aired to an audience of over 30 million in the UK, before being sold worldwide, achieving over 350 million views. However, the Queen had the documentary banned and it has not been shown on TV in the UK since 1977. The documentary offered insight into the lives of the Queen and her family in an attempt to revive public interest in the Royals.
The wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer
Prince Philip's oldest son, Prince Charles, married 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer on 29 July 1981. Almost 1 billion viewers tuned in across 74 countries to watch the ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral. The wedding was considered hugely important because whoever Prince Charles married would one day become Queen.
Diana, Princess of Wales' funeral
The world was shook when Diana, Princess of Wales died suddenly in a car accident in August 1997. Hundreds of thousands of well wishers lined the streets on the day of her funeral, which saw Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Diana's brother accompany Princes William and Harry in walking behind the funeral car.
Diamond wedding anniversary
In 2007, the Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary- 60 years of marriage! They have since made it to their platinum anniversary, celebrating in 2017.
A family man
Prince Philip has eight grandchildren, including heir to the throne Prince William. He also has nine great-grandchildren and counting, with two more on the way in 2021.
Tipping his hat to a lifetime of service
At the age of 96, Prince Philip carried out his final solo public engagement in August 2017, before tipping his hat in acknowledgement of a lifetime of service.
Prince Philip dies aged 99
Prince Philip passed away at the age of 99 on the 9th April 2021. The Duke's funeral took place on 17 April 2021 in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Read more:
The legacy of the Duke of Edinburgh Award
Looking back at Prince Philip's charity work
Buckingham Palace announce death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip: The longest serving consort