1921–2021

PRINCE Phillip, whose name has been synonymous with royal duty and public service since his marriage to the Queen 74 years ago, has been such a constant and colourful feature of British life, it’s almost impossible to believe he’s no longer with us.

Loved and admired in equal measure, his sad passing, nine weeks before his 100th birthday, marks the end of a cherished chapter in our national story. He was of the Greatest Generation, and he will be written into the history books as one of the best.

Doughty and irrepressible to the very end, the Duke of Edinburgh was said to have died peacefully at Windsor Castle on, fittingly, what was a beautiful spring morning.

In a moving statement on his passing, Buckingham Palace expressed “deep sorrow” – a sentiment echoing the profound sense of loss felt across Britain, the Commonwealth, and many other countries.

Prince Phillip was a distinguished and decorated war veteran. He unselfishly eschewed personal ambition – he was tipped for the Royal Navy’s top job – for royal duty.

In public, he has walked a discreet step behind throughout the 69 years of Her Majesty’s reign, content to play the supporting role which the Queen came to depend on. In private, though, this was unquestionably a partnership of equals.

He has been her confidant, adviser, comforter, morale-booster and, above all, as the Sovereign put it, her “strength and stay”.

His job “first, second and last”, he would say, was “never to let her down”. That Her Majesty has reigned so successfully, calmly and without blemish for such a remarkable span of time is proof he never did.

It would be wholly wrong and recklessly incomplete to characterise and pigeonhole Phillip as merely the longest-serving royal consort in British history. His life deserves far more accreditation than a monarchical footnote.

He was a brilliant man in his own right, possessing many gifts and talents. He could fly a jet as well as command a ship, was a talented sportsman, a skilled artist and painter, and had an excellent grasp of science.

Like so many of his generation, the duke didn’t suffer fools gladly and had little truck with political correctness. His plain speaking could be curt and would often cause controversy.

Beyond his brusque exterior, however, he was a deep thinker and an innovator. Possessing a core of steel and courage in spades, he embodied resilience and fortitude. As a young naval officer, he was praised for his actions in the decisive sea battle against the Italian fleet.

These self-same values not only helped Britain navigate the hardship of the Second World War – they spurred, to a very striking degree, our subsequent economic and social renaissance.

Yes, a man who lived a life of incredible privilege, but his personal legacy to the nation is impossible to exaggerate.

One of the last connections to an era which included the Victorians, he – like a sculptor with clay – helped mould the monarchy to modernity, shoring it up during times of turbulence.

Without Phillip’s and the Queen’s steady hand, the shape of Britain today might be inexpressibly different – and not for the better. This 1,000-year-old institution, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson says, “remains indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life”.

Not content to be a mere appendage or footnote after his wife came to the throne, the duke carved a niche from which he could help transform our planet and change the lives of individuals.

He paved the way for environmental groups such as Greenpeace, played a central role in the creation of the World Wildlife Fund, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme remains a torch of achievement for younger people in many countries.

His stewardship of the National Playing Fields Association has given millions of children somewhere to play organised sport. As a patron to nearly 800 organisations, his sense of obligation has been unmatched.

Quite apart from his royal role, which he stepped back from only four years ago at the age of 96, this was a man of vision and substance.

Despite his advancing years, the duke remained a totemic member of the Royal Family. Not just a national treasure, but also a towering father figure to the country. How else to explain the tsunami of affection and sadness following his passing? The floral tributes laid in his memory have come from members of all generations.

As an invaluable asset to the monarchy, there will be a sadness that he didn’t reach his centenary – although the duke would doubtlessly have been nonplussed by such fuss. But his shadow will cast a positive influence lasting well beyond his years.

Prince Phillip embodied self-sacrifice, family values and devotion to duty. He stands as a font of inspiration. Not just to younger royals, but the whole nation and millions worldwide.

A salute to his extraordinary life.