Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

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Prince Philip was born Dec. 3, 1922, on the island of Corfu. He is the youngest child and only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg. His grandfather was a Prince of Denmark, who became King of Greece. Prince Philip renounced his Greek royal title in 1947 when he became a naturalized British subject following his service in the Royal Navy during World War II.

After marrying Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth in 1947, he continued his naval career, earning the rank of Lieutenant-Commander of the HMS MAGPIE, a frigate stationed in Malta. He was promoted Admiral of the Fleet on Jan. 15, 1953. His other military titles are Field Marshal and Marshal of the Royal Air Force. He is a qualified pilot, earning his RAF wings in 1953, his helicopter wings in 1956 as well as his private pilot's license in 1959.

Prince Philip has accompanied The Queen on all her Commonwealth tours and State visits and has many Royal duties, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and Grand Master and First or Principal Knight of the Order of the British Empire as well as serving as patron of about 800 organizations.

Additional Information

His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
80 facts about The Duke of Edinburgh
Official Web Site of the British Monarchy