History of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in Timeline
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, holds the distinction of being the longest-serving royal consort in history. He served as the consort to Queen Elizabeth II from her accession to the throne in February 1952 until his death in 2021. Married to the Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, Prince Philip's role was primarily supportive, focusing on public engagements and charitable work. His historical significance stems from his enduring presence within the British monarchy and his connection to Queen Elizabeth II's unprecedented reign.
1918: Murder of the Romanov Family
The Romanov family, whose remains were later identified with the help of Prince Philip's DNA, were murdered in 1918.
1930: Move to Britain for Education
In 1930, Philip was sent to Britain to continue his education, living with his grandmother and uncle.
1933: Education in Germany
Philip was sent to Schule Schloss Salem in Germany in 1933 to continue his education.
1937: Death of sister Cecilie
Philip's sister, Cecilie, died in a plane crash in 1937.
July 1939: Correspondence with Princess Elizabeth begins
Prince Philip began corresponding with the then 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth in July 1939.
1939: Return to Britain for Naval Training
At the request of King George II of Greece, Philip returned to Britain in 1939 to resume training for the Royal Navy.
1939: Meeting of Elizabeth and Philip
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth toured the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in 1939. During the visit, Philip escorted the King's daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. This meeting marked the beginning of Elizabeth's and Philip's relationship.
January 1940: Appointment as Midshipman
Philip was appointed as a midshipman in January 1940.
1940: Midshipman's Logbook
Prince Philip's midshipman's logbook from 1940 was displayed at "Prince Philip: A Celebration", a centenary exhibition in 2021.
February 1941: Commissioned as Sub-Lieutenant
In February 1941, Philip was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant after completing courses at Portsmouth, achieving top marks in almost all qualifying exam sections.
1941: Midshipman's Logbook
Prince Philip's midshipman's logbook from 1941 was displayed at "Prince Philip: A Celebration", a centenary exhibition in 2021.
June 1942: Appointment to HMS Wallace
Philip was appointed to the destroyer HMS Wallace in June 1942, which was involved in convoy escort tasks on the east coast of Britain, as well as the Allied invasion of Sicily.
July 1942: Promotion to Lieutenant
Philip was promoted to lieutenant on July 16, 1942.
July 1943: Heroic Action in Sicily
In July 1943, during the invasion of Sicily, Philip, as second-in-command of HMS Wallace, saved his ship from a night bomber attack by devising a plan to launch a raft with smoke floats, distracting the bombers.
1944: Service in the Pacific Fleet
In 1944, Philip served on the destroyer HMS Whelp with the British Pacific Fleet and was present in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender.
January 1946: Return to the UK and Instructor Role
Philip returned to the United Kingdom in January 1946 and became an instructor at HMS Royal Arthur.
1946: Proposal and Engagement
In the summer of 1946, Philip proposed to Elizabeth, and King George VI granted permission, delaying the formal engagement until Elizabeth's 21st birthday.
1946: Granted permission to marry Elizabeth
King George VI granted Philip permission to marry Elizabeth in 1946.
March 1947: Adoption of Mountbatten Surname
In March 1947, Philip adopted the surname Mountbatten, relinquished his Greek and Danish royal titles, and became a naturalized British subject.
July 1947: Public Announcement of Engagement
The engagement of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten was announced to the public in July 1947.
July 1947: Engagement to Princess Elizabeth
The official announcement of Prince Philip's engagement to Princess Elizabeth occurred in July 1947.
October 1947: Philip's Reception into the Church of England
Philip was officially received into the Church of England in October 1947.
November 1947: Bestowal of Titles and Marriage
In November 1947, Philip was bestowed with the title of His Royal Highness, made Duke of Edinburgh, and married Princess Elizabeth.
November 1947: Appointment to the Order of the Garter
On the eve of his wedding, November 19, 1947, Prince Philip was appointed to the Order of the Garter by King George VI. He went on to receive numerous other awards and decorations.
November 1947: Marriage to Princess Elizabeth
Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth in November 1947.
1947: National Playing Fields Association Presidency
Beginning in 1947, Prince Philip served a remarkable 64 years as president of the National Playing Fields Association, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to sports and recreation.
July 1948: Introduction to the House of Lords
Philip was introduced to the House of Lords in July 1948.
November 1948: Birth of Prince Charles
Prince Charles was born in November 1948, the first child of Elizabeth and Philip.
1949: Stationed in Malta
In 1949, Philip was stationed in Malta, serving as the first lieutenant of the destroyer HMS Chequers.
1949: Friendship with Uffa Fox
In 1949, Prince Philip became friends with boat designer and sailing enthusiast Uffa Fox.
1949: Marylebone Cricket Club Presidency (First Term)
Prince Philip's first term as president of the Marylebone Cricket Club began in 1949, indicating his engagement with the sport of cricket.
July 1950: Promotion to Lieutenant Commander and Command of HMS Magpie
In July 1950, Philip was promoted to lieutenant commander and given command of the frigate HMS Magpie.
August 1950: Birth of Princess Anne
Princess Anne was born in August 1950, the second child of Elizabeth and Philip.
July 1951: End of Active Naval Career
Philip's active naval career ended in July 1951.
November 1951: Appointment to the Privy Council
Elizabeth and Philip were appointed to the Privy Council in November 1951 after a tour of Canada.
1951: Royal Society Fellowship
Prince Philip's appointment as a fellow of the Royal Society in 1951 acknowledged his contributions to scientific endeavors.
January 1952: Commonwealth Tour
Elizabeth and Philip embarked on a Commonwealth tour in January 1952.
February 1952: Death of King George VI and Elizabeth's Accession
King George VI died in February 1952 while Elizabeth and Philip were in Kenya, leading to Elizabeth's accession to the throne.
February 1952: Prince Philip becomes the consort of the British monarch
Prince Philip became the consort of the British monarch in February 1952 upon Queen Elizabeth II's accession.
June 1952: Promotion to Commander
Philip was promoted to commander in June 1952, although his active naval career ended in July 1951.
December 1952: Initiation into Freemasonry
Philip was initiated into Freemasonry in December 1952, fulfilling a commitment to George VI.
1952: Accession of Elizabeth II
Elizabeth became Queen in 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI.
1952: Military Appointments
Following Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne, Prince Philip was appointed to various military positions in 1952, including Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel-in-Chief of the British Army Cadet Force, and Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps.
1952: Patron of The Industrial Society and Ranger of Windsor Great Park
In 1952, Prince Philip became the patron of The Industrial Society and assumed the role of Ranger of Windsor Great Park following the death of his father-in-law, taking on responsibilities related to industrial development and environmental conservation.
1952: Nevil Shute's "In the Wet"
Prince Philip appeared as a fictionalized character in Nevil Shute's novel "In the Wet," published in 1952.
1952: Patron of the Royal Society of Arts
Prince Philip became the patron of the Royal Society of Arts in 1952.
1952: Start of Royal Duties
Prince Philip began his royal duties in 1952.
1952: Start of official engagements and speeches
Prince Philip began undertaking solo engagements and giving speeches starting in 1952.
1952: Retirement from active military service
Prince Philip retired from active military service when Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952.
1952: First Flying Lesson
Prince Philip took his first flying lesson in 1952.
1953: Coronation and Commonwealth Tour
In 1953, as chairman of the Coronation Commission, Prince Philip became the first royal to fly in a helicopter. During the coronation, he pledged allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II. Later, in 1953 and 1954, they embarked on a six-month Commonwealth tour.
1953: Place, Pre-eminence and Precedence
In 1953, six months after Queen Elizabeth II's accession, she declared Prince Philip's precedence, ensuring his prominent position beside her on all occasions except where stipulated by Parliament. She also secured his role as regent for Prince Charles.
1953: Royal Air Force Wings
Prince Philip was awarded his Royal Air Force wings in 1953.
1953: Coronation Robes and Coronet Display
Prince Philip's coronation robes and coronet that he wore to Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 were showcased in the "Prince Philip: A Celebration" exhibition in June 2021.
1954: Commonwealth Tour Continues
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II continued their Commonwealth tour into 1954, visiting various nations across the Commonwealth. Their children remained in Britain during this time.
1956: Royal Navy Helicopter Wings
Prince Philip received his Royal Navy helicopter wings in 1956.
February 1957: Prince of the United Kingdom
In February 1957, Prince Philip was officially granted the title of Prince of the United Kingdom, solidifying his position within the royal family.
1957: World Tour and Olympics
From 1956 to 1957, Prince Philip journeyed aboard HMY Britannia, opening the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and crossing the Antarctic Circle. This marked a significant personal achievement and a milestone in royal travel.
1957: Created a British Prince
In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II formally issued letters patent making Prince Philip a British prince. He had previously abandoned his Greek and Danish royal titles before his marriage.
1959: Private Pilot's Licence
Prince Philip obtained his private pilot's license in 1959.
1959: BAFTA Presidency
Prince Philip served as the president of BAFTA from 1959 to 1965, supporting the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
February 1960: Declaration of Mountbatten-Windsor Surname
In February 1960, the Queen declared Mountbatten-Windsor as the surname for male-line descendants without royal styles or titles.
1960: National Eisteddfod of Wales
In 1960, at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, Prince Philip was honored as an Honorary Ovate, reflecting his engagement with Welsh culture.
1960: "Dontopedalogy" Coined
Prince Philip coined the term "Dontopedalogy" in 1960 to humorously describe his tendency to make verbal blunders.
1960: Princess Margaret's Marriage
Princess Margaret, Prince Philip's sister-in-law, married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960. He was later granted the title Earl of Snowdon.
1961: World Wildlife Fund Founding and UK Presidency
Prince Philip co-founded the World Wildlife Fund in 1961 and assumed its UK presidency, marking a crucial step in his global conservation efforts.
1961: First Televised Royal Interview
Prince Philip made history in 1961 as the first royal family member to be interviewed on television, discussing the Commonwealth Technical Training Week.
1962: South America Flying Tour
In 1962, Prince Philip embarked on a two-month flying tour of South America with co-pilot Captain Peter Middleton.
1963: Australian Conservation Foundation
Prince Philip helped establish the Australian Conservation Foundation in 1963, demonstrating his commitment to environmental conservation.
March 1964: Birth of Prince Edward
Prince Edward, the fourth child of Elizabeth and Philip, was born in March 1964.
1964: International Equestrian Federation Presidency
Prince Philip's presidency of the International Equestrian Federation began in 1964, lasting until 1986.
1965: End of BAFTA Presidency
Prince Philip concluded his term as BAFTA president in 1965.
1969: Appearance on Meet the Press
Prince Philip's 1969 appearance on Meet the Press further showcased his willingness to engage with the media and public discourse, discussing important issues of the time.
1970: The Maritime Trust Founding
Prince Philip helped found The Maritime Trust in 1970, dedicated to preserving historic British ships.
1971: Carriage Driving
Prince Philip began competing in carriage driving in 1971 after retiring from polo. He played a significant role in the development of the sport.
1974: Marylebone Cricket Club Presidency (Second Term)
Prince Philip began his second term as president of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1974, highlighting his ongoing commitment to the sport.
1975: Colonel of the Grenadier Guards
In 1975, Prince Philip was appointed Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, a position he held until he handed it over to his son, Prince Andrew, in 2017.
1976: Down-to-Earth Interaction
In 1976, during a visit to the White House, Prince Philip showed his down-to-earth nature by engaging with butlers in conversation and pouring them drinks.
1977: Zoological Society of London Honorary Fellow
Prince Philip was appointed an honorary fellow of the Zoological Society of London in 1977, recognizing his contributions to zoology and animal conservation.
1978: Princess Margaret's Divorce
Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones divorced in 1978. She did not remarry.
1980: World Champion in Four-in-Hand Driving
In 1980, Prince Philip achieved the title of world champion in four-in-hand driving with the British national team, demonstrating his prowess in equestrian sports.
1981: Advice and Pressure on Charles's Marriage Proposal
In 1981, Prince Philip advised his son, Prince Charles, to either propose to Lady Diana Spencer or end their courtship. This pressure led to Charles proposing to Diana in February 1981, and they married five months later.
1981: WWF International President
Prince Philip became the international president of the World Wildlife Fund in 1981, broadening his influence in global conservation initiatives.
1982: End of WWF UK Presidency
Prince Philip concluded his tenure as the UK president of the World Wildlife Fund in 1982.
1982: Portrayals in Film
Prince Philip was portrayed by Stewart Granger in "The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana" and Christopher Lee in "Charles & Diana: A Royal Love Story," both released in 1982.
1983: Report on Royal Views of Freemasonry
A journalist reported in 1983 that Philip's mother-in-law and uncle had unfavorable views of Freemasonry, and Philip took no further part after his initiation.
1986: End of FEI Presidency
Prince Philip's term as president of the International Equestrian Federation concluded in 1986.
1987: Tom Clancy's "Patriot Games"
Prince Philip featured as a fictional character in Tom Clancy's novel "Patriot Games" in 1987.
1990: Parliamentary Annuity
Starting in 1990, Prince Philip began receiving a Parliamentary annuity of £359,000 to cover his official expenses related to public duties.
1992: Charles and Diana's Marital Breakdown
By 1992, Charles and Diana's marriage was in trouble. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attempted to reconcile the couple, but were unsuccessful. Prince Philip wrote to Diana, expressing his disappointment in both their extramarital affairs.
1992: Windsor Castle Fire and Restoration
George Alexis Weymouth’s portrait of Prince Philip amidst the ruins of Windsor Castle after the fire of 1992 was featured in "Prince Philip: A Celebration." This highlighted Philip's involvement in the subsequent restoration.
1992: Comments on Greek Language Skills
In 1992, Prince Philip commented on his limited understanding of the Greek language.
1992: Sue Townsend's "The Queen and I"
Prince Philip appeared as a character in Sue Townsend's satirical novel, "The Queen and I," published in 1992.
1993: Romanov Family Identification
In 1993, Prince Philip's DNA was used to help confirm the identity of the remains of several members of the Romanov family, who were murdered in 1918. Philip's mitochondrial DNA was compared to the remains since he, along with Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna and her children, were descended from Princess Alice through a purely female line.
1996: Divorce of Charles and Diana
In 1996, Charles and Diana officially divorced, finalizing the end of their marriage.
1996: WWF President Emeritus
Prince Philip transitioned to the role of president emeritus of the World Wildlife Fund in 1996, continuing his association with the organization in an honorary capacity.
August 1997: Diana's Death and Royal Family's Response
Following Diana's death in a car crash in August 1997, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth shielded their grandsons, Princes William and Harry, at Balmoral. Philip played a key role in encouraging William and Harry to walk behind Diana's coffin during the funeral procession.
August 1997: Retirement from Flying
Prince Philip retired from flying in August 1997 after accumulating nearly 6,000 pilot hours.
May 1999: Alleged Insult to Deaf Children
In May 1999, Prince Philip was accused by British newspapers of insulting deaf children at a pop concert in Wales. He allegedly remarked, "No wonder you are deaf listening to this row." Philip later denied the accusation in writing, stating the story was largely invented and citing his family connection to deafness and his patronage of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.
1999: Departure from the House of Lords
Philip, along with his sons and other royals, ceased to be members of the House of Lords following the House of Lords Act 1999.
2000: Philip's Views on Longevity
In a 2000 interview, Prince Philip expressed his lack of enthusiasm for living an extremely long life.
2005: David Threlfall Portrayal
David Threlfall played Prince Philip in "The Queen's Sister" in 2005.
2006: James Cromwell Portrayal
James Cromwell portrayed Prince Philip in the movie "The Queen" in 2006.
2007: Becomes Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles
Prince Philip became Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles in 2007.
2008: Hospitalization for Chest Infection and Cancer Rumor Denial
In 2008, Prince Philip was hospitalized for a chest infection but recovered quickly. Buckingham Palace denied reports that he had prostate cancer.
2008: Inquest into Diana's Death Concludes
In 2008, the inquest into Princess Diana's death concluded, finding no evidence of a conspiracy, refuting claims made by Mohamed Al-Fayed.
April 2009: Longest-Serving British Royal Consort
In April 2009, Prince Philip became the longest-serving British royal consort in history.
June 2011: Slowing Down Royal Duties and 90th Birthday Title
In June 2011, on his 90th birthday, Prince Philip announced his intention to reduce his royal duties. He was given the title Lord High Admiral by the Queen for his birthday.
December 2011: Successful Heart Procedure
In December 2011, Prince Philip underwent a successful coronary angioplasty and stenting at Papworth Hospital.
2011: "HRH Victor Meldrew"
In 2011, historian David Starkey described Prince Philip as a kind of "HRH Victor Meldrew," referencing a grumpy television character. This was likely in reference to Philip's sometimes controversial public comments.
2011: Royal Finances Reform
In 2011, the Sovereign Grant Act reformed royal finances. Prince Philip's annuity remained unaffected by these changes.
2011: End of Patronage
Prince Philip's patronage of the Royal Society of Arts concluded in 2011.
June 2012: Hospitalization for Bladder Infection during Diamond Jubilee
During Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 2012, Philip was hospitalized with a bladder infection.
August 2012: Recurrence of Bladder Infection
Philip's bladder infection recurred in August 2012, leading to another hospitalization.
2012: Diamond Jubilee Tribute
During her Diamond Jubilee speech in 2012, Queen Elizabeth II publicly acknowledged Prince Philip as her "constant strength and guide", highlighting their enduring relationship.
February 2013: Oldest Male British Royal
Prince Philip became the oldest-ever male British royal in February 2013.
June 2013: Exploratory Abdominal Surgery
In June 2013, Prince Philip underwent exploratory abdominal surgery and spent 11 days in hospital.
2013: Passing the Baton
In 2013, Prince Philip passed on his role as president of the National Playing Fields Association (now Fields in Trust) to his grandson, Prince William, marking a generational shift in the organization's leadership.
April 2014: Discovery of South America Flying Tour Footage
In April 2014, footage was found of Philip's 1962 flying tour of South America. His co-pilot's grandson is Catherine, Philip's granddaughter-in-law.
May 2014: Minor Hand Procedure
Prince Philip had a minor hand procedure in May 2014.
December 2015: Relinquishes Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief Role
On December 16, 2015, Prince Philip relinquished his role as Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief and was succeeded by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
2015: Knight of the Order of Australia
In 2015, Philip was appointed a Knight of the Order of Australia, a decision that drew criticism.
2016: "The Crown" Portrayals
From 2016 onwards, Prince Philip was portrayed by Finn Elliot, Matt Smith, Tobias Menzies, and Jonathan Pryce in the Netflix series "The Crown."
June 2017: Hospitalization for Infection
In June 2017, Prince Philip was hospitalized with an infection, missing the State Opening of Parliament and Royal Ascot.
August 2017: Retirement from Royal Duties
Prince Philip retired from his royal duties in August 2017, after having completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952.
November 2017: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
On their 70th wedding anniversary, November 20, 2017, Queen Elizabeth appointed Prince Philip as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. This allowed him to wear breast stars of four orders of chivalry in the United Kingdom.
November 2017: 70th Wedding Anniversary
Philip and Elizabeth celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in November 2017, marking a platinum wedding anniversary.
2017: Colonelcy Handed to Prince Andrew
Prince Philip handed over his role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards to his son, Prince Andrew, in 2017.
2017: Retirement from Royal Duties
Prince Philip retired from his royal duties in 2017 at age 96.
April 2018: Planned Hip Replacement
In April 2018, Prince Philip underwent a planned hip replacement surgery.
January 2019: Car Collision Near Sandringham Estate
In January 2019, Prince Philip was involved in a car collision and voluntarily surrendered his driving licence three weeks later.
April 2019: Driving on Private Estates
Despite surrendering his license, Prince Philip was still permitted to drive on private estates, and was seen doing so at Windsor Castle in April 2019.
April 2019: Third Longest-Lived British Royal
In April 2019, Philip became the third longest-lived member of the British royal family.
May 2019: Last Public Appearance Before COVID-19 Isolation
Philip's last public appearance before the COVID-19 pandemic was at Lady Gabriella Windsor's wedding in May 2019.
December 2019: Hospitalization for Pre-existing Condition
Prince Philip was hospitalized in December 2019 for a pre-existing condition.
June 2020: 99th Birthday during COVID-19 Isolation
Prince Philip celebrated his 99th birthday in June 2020 while isolating with Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle during the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 2020: Steps Down as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles
In July 2020, Prince Philip stepped down as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles and was succeeded by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
January 2021: COVID-19 Vaccination
In January 2021, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II received their COVID-19 vaccinations at Windsor Castle.
February 2021: Hospitalization
In February 2021, Prince Philip was admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital as a precautionary measure due to feeling unwell. He was visited by Prince Charles during his stay.
April 2021: Unique Flying Achievement Highlighted
In April 2021, it was noted that Prince Philip is the only member of the royal family to have flown a single-seat aircraft, having done so in 1959.
April 2021: Death of Prince Philip
On April 9, 2021, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle at the age of 99. Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly at his bedside.
June 2021: Prince Philip: A Celebration Exhibition
In June 2021, the Royal Collection Trust held an exhibition titled "Prince Philip: A Celebration" at Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse to mark the centenary of his birth. The exhibition showcased about 150 personal items related to him.
July 2021: Will Sealed
In July 2021, Prince Philip's will was sealed for 90 years following a High Court ruling.
September 2021: Lifeboat Naming and Documentary
In September 2021, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution named their new lifeboat "Duke of Edinburgh" in honor of Prince Philip. A documentary, "Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers," was also broadcast on BBC One, featuring contributions from his children, their spouses, and grandchildren.
2021: Death of Prince Philip
Prince Philip died in 2021, marking the end of his and Queen Elizabeth II's 73-year marriage, the longest of any British monarch.
January 2022: Will Sealing Challenged
The Guardian challenged the court's decision to seal Prince Philip's will in January 2022.
March 2022: Thanksgiving Service
A thanksgiving service for Prince Philip's life was held at Westminster Abbey in March 2022.
July 2022: Appeal Dismissed
In July 2022, the Court of Appeal dismissed The Guardian's challenge to the sealing of Prince Philip's will.
September 2022: Queen Elizabeth II's Death and Burial
Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022 and was buried with Prince Philip in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St George's Chapel.
