A look back to Prince Philip’s military career; Check it out
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip died at the age of 99, has served the Arm Forces of Britain. He was a man whose duty towards his wife and service were phenomenal. Philip joined the Royal Navy in 1939 at the start of World War II, only a teenager at the time.
He was a search light officer, who fought against Italian forces. His Royal Highness served on the HMS Ramillies initially, moving to the HMS Valiant shortly afterward and the HMS Wallace after that.
His active service ended once the Queen acceded to the throne in 1952, four years after their wedding. Philip took no active role with the royal family, instead simply acting as royal, a role he held for longer than any other in British history.
Philip helped spot enemy crafts, both during the day and night, often saving the vessels he served on. The Prince was praised for his contributions, during which allied forces sank five enemy vessels and killed over 2,000 enemy officers, with only four seamen and four light vessels lost in the exchange.
The Duke only revealed frustrations at his diminished role during an interview to mark his 90th birthday, during which he said he struggled to find a role for himself.
“There was no precedent,” the Duke told the BBC at the time. “If I asked somebody, ‘What do you expect me to do?’ they all looked blank – they had no idea, nobody had much idea.” He said that it was ‘naturally disappointing’ to give up his career, especially having just received a promotion to commander at the time. “But then, equally, if I stopped and thought about it, being married to the Queen, it seemed to me my first duty was to serve her in the best way I could,” he explained.
