A life of service AND DEVOTION

Prince Philip was the Queen’s greatest source of support and has played a leading role in public life for as long as most of us can remember

- MICHELLE HATHER

More than 20 years ago, when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, a touching moment passed between them as they toasted one another in public.

‘I think the main lesson we have learnt is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient in any happy marriage,’ the Duke said. ‘You can take it from me, the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.’

It was typical of a man who saw himself as little more than ‘a refugee’ who had somehow managed to win the heart of the most famous woman in the world. He was plain-speaking, often controversial, but always self-deprecating and devoted to his Queen and adopted country.

Philip was the longest-serving royal consort in British history and did more than anyone, besides the Queen, to ensure the remarkable success of her reign.

He understood the demands of royal protocol and duty, but was years ahead of his time, dragging Buckingham Palace and its occupants into the modern world, and insisting his children – unlike their predecessors – went to school. Despite his public position – always a respectful step or two behind his wife – he was the head of an extraordinary family, a father of four, grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of 10.