The death has been announced this morning of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom, KG, GBE, GCVO. etc. at the age of 99.
Whatever one feels about monarchy etc, one has to accept he led a bloody interesting life.
Born in Greece to a royal household, smuggled out as a baby.
Served as officer in RN during the 2nd world war, became the youngest First Officer (equivalent of XO) at the age of just 21. Mentioned in Dispatches at battle of Cape Matapan. Awarded the Greek War Cross (even though he had been banned from the country by the revolutionary government). Was present in Tokyo bay for the signing of the Japanese Surrender.
Was given command of the Frigate HMS Magpie before his final actual promotion to Commander and withdrawal from active duty prior to his wife's coronation.
Oh yeah he married a girl who went on to become Queen.
While his sisters married Nazis, his mother who had been committed to an Asylum in 1930, went on to shelter Jewish Refugees in Greece throughout the war, and is named among the "Righteous among the Nations" by Yad Vashem.
We will not see his like again.
Whatever one feels about monarchy etc, one has to accept he led a bloody interesting life.
Born in Greece to a royal household, smuggled out as a baby.
Served as officer in RN during the 2nd world war, became the youngest First Officer (equivalent of XO) at the age of just 21. Mentioned in Dispatches at battle of Cape Matapan. Awarded the Greek War Cross (even though he had been banned from the country by the revolutionary government). Was present in Tokyo bay for the signing of the Japanese Surrender.
Was given command of the Frigate HMS Magpie before his final actual promotion to Commander and withdrawal from active duty prior to his wife's coronation.
Oh yeah he married a girl who went on to become Queen.
While his sisters married Nazis, his mother who had been committed to an Asylum in 1930, went on to shelter Jewish Refugees in Greece throughout the war, and is named among the "Righteous among the Nations" by Yad Vashem.
We will not see his like again.
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