Duke of Edinburgh

HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT, OM, GBE, AC, QSO, PC

Edinburgh, HRH Duke of (UK 1947); Philip Mountbatten; KG (1947), KT (1952), OM (1968), GBE (Mil 1953), AC (1988), QSO (1981), PC (1951, Canada 1957); Royal Victorian Chain (2007); also Baron Greenwich and Earl of Merioneth (UK 1947).

biography

Naturalised a British subject and adopted surname of Mountbatten (dropped f's name 'of Greece and Denmark', renouncing right of succession to those countries' crowns) 1947; granted title, style and attribute of HRH 19 Nov 1947; granted precedence next to HM The Queen except where otherwise provided by Act of Parliament (Royal Warrant 18 Sept 1952); granted style and titular dignity of Prince of United Kingdom 1957; only s of HRH Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, GCVO (d 1944), and HRH Princess (Victoria) Alice Elizabeth Julia Marie (d 1969), da of 1 Marquess of Milford Haven (see Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage descendant of Queen Victoria).

Born 10 June 1921; Educ Salem Sch Baden, Gordonstoun (head of sch, capt cricket and hockey), RNC Dartmouth (King's Dirk, prize as best cadet of his entry); m 20 Nov 1947, Princess Elizabeth (later HM The Queen, qv); 3 s, 1 da (see below); Heir (to peerages, but not titular dignity of Prince) eld s, Prince of Wales, qv.

Career WWII: Midshipman 1940, as which served HMS Ramillies Indian Ocean 1940 and Valiant Mediterranean Fleet 1941 (despatches and Greek War Cross of Valour following Battle of Cape Matapan 1941, in which i/c Valiant's searchlight unit), Sub-Lt 1941, Lt July 1942, 1 Lt (2 i/c) HMS Wallace 1942 (participated Sicily landings 1943) then HMS Whelp 27 Destroyer Flotilla British Pacific Fleet Indian Ocean and Pacific, Instr Petty Offrs' Sch, attended RN Staff Coll Greenwich, 1 Lt HMS Chequers 1949 (Leader 1 Destroyer Flotilla Mediterranean Fleet), Lt-Cdr 1950, cmd HMS Magpie (frigate), Cdr 1952; 1939-45, Atlantic, Africa, Burma (with Pacific Rosette) and Italy Stars; War Medal 1939-45 (with oak leaf) and French Croix de Guerre (with palm); Personal ADC to HM King George VI 1948; Adm of the Fleet: RN, RAN, RNZN, Royal Canadian Sea Cadets; Capt-Gen RM; Field Marshal: United Kingdom 1953, Australian Mil Forces 1954, New Zealand Army 1977; Col-in-Chief (UK): Queen's Royal Hussars 2002-, The Rifles 2007-, REME 1969-, Intelligence Corps 1977-, ACF 1953-; Col-in-Chief (Commonwealth): Royal Canadian Regt 1953-, Royal Hamilton LI (Wentworth Regt of Canada) 1978-, Cameron Highlanders Ottawa 1967-, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Canada 1967-, Seaforth Highlanders Canada 1967-, Royal Canadian Army Cadets 1953-, Royal Australian Corps Electrical and Mech Engrs 1959-, Australian Army Cadet Corps 1963-; Col Grenadier Gds 1975-; Royal Col Highlanders 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland; Royal Hon Col: City of Edinburgh Univs OTC 1965-, Trinidad and Tobago Regt 1964-; Marshal: RAF, RAAF, RNZF; Air Cdre-in-Chief: ATC, Royal Canadian Air Cadets; Royal Hon Air Cdre RAF Kinloss; Adm Royal Yacht Sqdn.

Chllr: Univ of Wales 1948-76, Univ of Edinburgh 1952-, Univ of Salford 1967-91, Univ of Cambridge 1976-.

Life govr KCL; pres: CCPR 1951-, BAAS 1952, FEI 1964-86 (hon pres 1986-); as pres FEI instrumental in founding Nations Cup Series, estab ctee to examine introduction of carriage driving (specifically four-in-hand driving) as FEI event 1969 (instituted 1970); competed in six World Championships: team Bronze medal 1978, 1982 and 1984, team Gold medal 1980, individual sixth place 1982; memb British team at three European Championships; fndr memb British Equestrian Centre, memb Horse Driving Trials Assoc, memb Equestrian Hall of Fame 2007, Br Horse Soc Queen's Award for Equestrianism 2008; hon memb: BHS, USA Equestrian Assoc, Canadian Horse Cutting Assoc.

Past pres MCC (twice); pres emeritus WWF (first (fndr) pres 1961-82, int pres 1981-96); patron: Duke of Edinburgh's Award 1956- (chm of tstees 1956-2001), Industrial Soc, London Guildhall Univ; Grand Master Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators; Master Trinity House 1969- (Er Bro 1952-69); King George VI 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II 1953 Coronation Medals; Grand Master and First or Princ Knight Order of the British Empire 1953; FRS 1951.

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