The Palace of Holyroodhouse will feature its own Prince Philip: A Celebration display from Friday, 23 July 2021, focusing on Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh’s remarkable life and legacy as Britain’s longest-serving consort.
More than 60 objects include many items to highlight Prince Philip’s close links with Scotland and Edinburgh, including his Midshipman’s logbook, items from his wedding to Princess Elizabeth in 1947, architect Sir Hugh Casson’s designs for the sun lounge and the dining room on the Royal Yacht Britannia and a programme for the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956.
Visitors can also see the silver-gilt casket which was presented to Prince Philip with the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh in 1949, a Highland ensemble made in 1952, which Prince Philip wore regularly at Balmoral. The kilt is made from the Balmoral tartan which Prince Albert designed in the 19th Century and inspired by the local Deeside granite.
Prince Philip’s association with Scotland began attending Gordonstoun School when he was aged 13.
Gordonstoun placed a strong emphasis on physical activity, supporting the local community and helping students to achieve their full potential.
Prince Philip’s former headmaster, Kurt Hahn, later suggested he set up a programme for young people based on the school’s principles, so he established the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in 1956, which celebrated its Diamond Anniversary in 2016.
Examples of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme badges, which Prince Philip has presented to participants, are on display.
Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy, first as a cadet at Dartmouth, before seeing action during World War II.
In his Midshipman’s logbook from 1940 to 1941, Prince Philip described his role as operating the HMS Valiant’s searchlight during the Battle of Cape Matapan, near the Greek coast, ‘My orders were that if any ship illuminated a target I was to switch on and illuminate for the rest of the fleet.’
King George VI granted the royal dukedom of Edinburgh when Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947. The royal couple were known as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh until Queen Elizabeth’s accession in 1952.
Prince Philip took an active role in designing both the technical aspects of the Royal Yacht Britannia, based on his own practical naval experiences, and the Royal Apartment’s interiors.
He travelled aboard Britannia for his first solo overseas visit in 1956-1957 where he opened the Olympic Games in Melbourne and visited the Antarctic.
Prince Philip received many gifts during official engagements, overseas tours and State Visits, including a Moai sculpture during a visit to Easter Island in 1971 and he was presented with a silver model of a windmill during a visit to the Caledonian Flour Mills in 1955.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is open five days per week, from Thursdays to Mondays from 9.30 am to 3.35 pm from 1 November to 31 March, and from 1 April to 31 October.
Visit www.rct.uk or phone +44 (0) 303 123 7300 for more information and tickets. Please note pre-booking is essential.
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