Prince Philip: Decades of royal duties
Wednesday 21 June 2017 11:09, UK
The Duke of Edinburgh has spent much of his lifetime carrying out royal duties, but recently took a step back.
We take a look at his royal career and his life before he became Britain's longest serving consort.
Philip was born into European royalty in Corfu, Greece, on 10 June 1921 but his family were forced to leave when he was 18 months old due to a military coup.
He begins his education at an English-speaking prep school in St Cloud, France.
His parents separate and he goes to a number of boarding schools, eventually settling at Gordonstoun in Scotland. Here he is dressed for a part in Macbeth in 1935:
The-then Philip Mountbatten (left) escorts the Royal Family on their visit to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, where he graduates in 1940. The Royal Family had known Philip since he was a boy.
Elizabeth and Philip get engaged in 1947, when Philip, born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, gives up his titles. Here they are pictured with her family on the day they announced their engagement:
After a five-month engagement, he and Elizabeth marry on 20 November 1947 and he becomes the Duke of Edinburgh.
The newlyweds taking a stroll during their honeymoon at Broadlands Estate in Hampshire in 1947:
They live for a period in Malta, where he is stationed with the Royal Navy, before Elizabeth becomes Queen.
The Royal couple with Charles, who was born in 1948, and Anne, who was born in 1950.
Prince Philip had an eventful career in the Royal Navy, which included fighting in World War II. But he had to leave the service after Elizabeth became Queen.
With Elizabeth's accession to the throne and her coronation in 1953, Philip begins a life of supporting his spouse.
He accompanied the Queen on numerous tours within the UK and overseas. Here they are in Papua New Guinea in 1977:
He has also met many world leaders while at the Queen's side. Here they are with the Kennedys in London in 1961:
The Prince was at Wembley when England beat West Germany to win the World Cup in 1966.
The Prince is patron of 780 organisations that support a variety of causes, including sports. Here he is competing in a bicycle polo match in 1967:
The Royals met Pope John Paul II during a tour of Italy in 1980.
The Queen and Prince Philip visited the Great Wall of China in 1986.
Philip founded the Duke of Edinburgh's Award for youth achievement in 1956. Here he is seen in 1996 talking to teenagers taking part in the scheme.
With his grandsons William and Harry at the funeral of Princess Diana in September 1997.
The Royal couple toasting the new millennium with the Queen at the Millennium Dome in London.
Prince Philip and his son Prince Edward with Nelson Mandela at Drakenstein Prison, outside Cape Town, in 2000.
Prince Philip with his family during celebrations for William and Kate's wedding in April 2011.
The Royals hosting then president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, during their state visit to Britain in 2011.
In June 2012, Prince Philip stands by the Queen during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations but unfortunately missed out on some events due to illness.
He suffers a bladder infection and is released from hospital on 9 June - in time to celebrate his 91st birthday a day later.
In June 2012 the Duke accompanies the Queen on a historic trip to Northern Ireland.
The couple attended the opening of the London Olympics in July 2012.
The environment is another one of Philip's interests. Here he attends the opening of the new Sumatran tiger enclosure at London Zoo in 2013.
Philip accompanying the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament in 2013.
The Queen presents the Duke of Edinburgh with New Zealand's highest honour, the Order of New Zealand, in 2013.
That same month Philip undergoes exploratory abdominal surgery and spends 11 days in hospital. The Queen is seen leaving after a visit.
Arriving for the christening of great-grandson George at St James's Palace in October 2013.
Meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2014.
Philip has visited countless factories, laboratories and coal mines to support British industry. Here he is at the London Brompton bicycle factory in 2016.
The Royal couple mark Elizabeth's 90th birthday in Windsor in April 2016.
Pictured on Wednesday at his last public engagement before Buckingham Palace announces his retirement from public duties. He opened the new £25m Warner Stand at Lord's cricket ground.
Philip became the longest serving consort in the British monarchy's history in 2009. He is also the oldest-ever male member of the British Royal Family.
