PRINCE PHILIP, THE SAILOR

The Duke was well-known for his love of boating for leisure, competitively and, of course, his naval career. Even before a successful career at sea, the Duke had enjoyed sailing as a teenager while at Gordonstoun School in Scotland.

However, incredibly, it was at the age of one that Prince Philip had his first taste of the Royal Navy when he and his family were evacuated from Greece by the Royal Navy cruiser, HMS Calypso. 17 years later in 1939, aged 18, The Duke joined the Royal Navy, where he served for more than a decade. It was while an officer cadet at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth that he first met Princess Elizabeth, when he was tasked with escorting her on a visit.

In the Second World War, he was given his first posting in January 1940 as a midshipman on the battleship HMS Ramillies. Prince Philip served on a number of Royal Naval vessels; in 1941 he was transferred to HMS Valiant, a battleship equipped with radar and anti-aircraft guns. It was on this ship that he saw action during the Battle of Crete and was mentioned in dispatches for his involvement in the Battle of Cape Matapan.

After the war he continued to serve until, after more than a decade of active service, he left the Royal Navy in 1952. With the accession to the throne of The Queen having taken place in the same year, Prince Philip was promoted to Honorary Admiral of the Fleet and was also made Captain General of the Royal Marines.

The Duke was also appointed Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel-inChief of the Army Cadet Force and Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps. In 1953 he was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet and appointed Field Marshal and Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

His long-standing connection with the Royal Navy was recognised in June 2011 when The Queen conferred the title and office of Lord High Admiral to him upon his 90th birthday.

Looking back at his service, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “As a Royal Navy officer, the Duke of Edinburgh upheld all values that the Armed Forces represent. His leadership, dedication and passion for serving his country is something that all those in uniform can relate to.

“The Duke of Edinburgh had a long affiliation with the Royal Navy, having trained at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth before deploying on board HMS Ramillies, HMS Kent and HMS Shropshire to serve his country during the Second World War.”

Away from his naval career, The Duke also enjoyed leisure time afloat. The Dragon Class keelboat Bluebottle was a gift from the Island Sailing Club to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on their marriage in 1947. As well as sailing for leisure, The Duke sailed the boat competitively for a number of years.

As well as time spent afloat, The Duke was active ashore too. He served as Admiral of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes and was also patron of the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble, having become Admiral of the club in 1952. Image: Atlantic Lens Photography / Shutterstock.com

The Prince of Wales with the Duke of Edinburgh and crew members Uffa Fox and Lieutenant-Commander Alistair Easton, Sailing Master of the yacht Bluebottle, at Cowes. Image: PA Archive/PA Images

In 1948, HRH Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh were listed as new members of the RYA and given Honorary Membership. Then, at the 1956 RYA Annual General Meeting, The Duke was elected as President for the first time. Following his election, the Council was regularly invited to hold one of its meetings on board HMY Britannia during Cowes Week.

In fact, The Duke was a regular competitor at Cowes Week, adding a welcome royal element to the week, as well as being a competitive entrant in his own right.

A familiar face at Cowes Week on board HMY Britannia, The Duke of Edinburgh became a friend of the boat designer and legendary sailor Uffa Fox, racing in Cowes Week in 1957 in Bluebottle. He also frequently sailed with Uffa on Coweslip, the famous Flying Fifteen keelboat. Together, they had great success sailing competitively, including winning the Britannia Cup in 1952. In 1962, at Cowes, Coweslip nearly sank when she was hit by a gust of wind and capsized, throwing both Uffa and the Duke into the water.

It was in 1964, on the suggestion of Prince Philip, that Cowes Combined Clubs was formed to run and organise Cowes Week. 40 years later His Royal Highness opened the Regatta House building that the Cowes Week team still uses today.

Under his watch as President, the first ever RYA Training Committee was formed and today, some 50 years on, the RYA has a network of more than 2,400 recognised training centres in 58 countries and supports the delivery of over 100 different courses.

Upon learning that The Duke of Edinburgh was to step down from his role as President in 1970, the RYA Council resolved to launch an appeal to the membership with a view to presenting the Duke with a model of the 63ft royal racing yacht Bloodhound to thank him for serving 14 years as President.

The longest serving British consort resumed the role of RYA President in 1975 and presided over his last Council meeting as President at the Little Ship Club in 1980.

At that time, the then Chairman, Brian Southcott, said: “The membership knew of his keen interest and were grateful for it. His willingness to chair every General Meeting during his presidency had been very much appreciated.”

In a statement following the news of The Duke’s passing, the RYA said: “The RYA is deeply saddened by the loss of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh – former RYA President and RYA Honorary Member. Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen, RYA Patron, The Princess Royal, RYA President and the entire Royal Family at this time.”

Sarah Treseder, RYA Chief Executive, also paid tribute: “As a sailing community we share the nation’s sadness following the loss of Prince Phillip. He will be missed by the RYA family and we pay tribute to not just a keen, competitive and successful yachtsman, but also an outstanding President of our Association who dedicated many years to helping protect and promote our sport.

“In 2011, I was lucky enough to attend one of the celebrations for his 90th Birthday at Trinity House, of which HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was Master until succeeded by HRH The Princess Royal. His affinity for the sea and camaraderie with his fellow mariners shone though.

“The Duke accompanied Her Majesty The Queen on a trip to Cowes in 2012, where he was introduced to a number of young OnBoard sailors. Some were a little nervous, but the Duke was clearly interested and soon put everyone at ease.”

Though probably best known for founding The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in 1956, His Royal Highness was also involved in the work of many charities – including president of the World Wildlife Fund - and organisations which reflected his wide-ranging interests including conservation, the military and engineering, as well as his passion for getting afloat.

Sarah Treseder reflected on the RYA’s role within The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme: “In 2012, the RYA was recognised as a National Operating Authority for the DofE – and more than 20 RYA training centres are now recognised as DofE centres.

“It is thanks to the Duke’s passion for boating and his commitment to helping young people fulfil their potential that our centres are able to give so many participants the opportunity to experience new activities or develop existing skills.

“2016 saw the celebration of 60 years of the DofE scheme take place in the gardens of Buckingham Palace and we were all impressed by the extraordinarily wide-ranging knowledge the Duke had of the various partners there.”

Fittingly, after Prince Philip had made the decision to no longer conduct public engagements, the final such engagement in his official programme was the Royal Marines parade held at Buckingham Palace in August 2017.

In the words of The Duke: “I have just done what I think is my best – some people think it was all right, other people quite evidently do not.”

Prince Philip, we thank you for your loyal service to the country.

A Death Gun Salute was fired to mark the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. Image: UK Crown Copyright 2021

At 12.00 on 10 April a Death Gun Salute was fired to mark the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. Across the UK, in Gibraltar and on HM Ships at sea, saluting batteries fired 41 rounds at one round every minute for 40 minutes. In London, The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode out from their base at Napier Lines, Woolwich Barracks, on to the Parade Ground with 71 horses, 36 of them pulling six 13-pounder field guns dating from the First World War. Their guns fired at the same time as those fired by the Honourable Artillery Company’s Light Guns at the Tower of London and by units from all corners of the UK including Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh, and British Overseas Territory Gibraltar. At sea, guns fired from Royal Navy saluting warships.

The tradition of gun salutes being fired throughout the country to mark significant national events dates back to at least the eighteenth century, and there are historical records of salutes taking place as early as the 14th century when guns and ammunition began to be adopted more widely. Similar gun salutes were fired to mark the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 and Winston Churchill in 1965.