Prince Philip: The man at the Queen's side

The official Diamond Jubilee portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Credit: Royal Household/John Swannell

Despite his current illness, the Duke of Edinburgh has never been far from the Queen's side. He's the man she has called her "constant strength and guide".

The couple celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on 20 November 2011.

Their marriage has spanned seven decades, four children, eight grandchildren, Accession and Coronation and The Queen's 60-year reign.

Here are a few quick facts about the 90-year-old Duke:

  • The Duke of Edinburgh was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in Corfu on 10 June 1921.

  • He is the oldest living great, great-grandchild of Queen Victoria

  • The Duke of Edinburgh, is Patron or President of some 800 organisations

  • Prince Philip was the first President of World Wildlife Fund - UK

Marriage and family

The engagement of Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten to Princess Elizabeth was announced in July 1947.

The couple married in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh appear on the balcony of Buckingham Place after their marriage Credit: PA

The Queen and Prince Philip had two children before (Prince Charles and Princess Anne) and two after (Prince Andrew and Prince Edward) The Queen succeeded to the throne.

The Royal Family pictured in the grounds of Frogmore House, Windsor in 1968 Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Before Princess Elizabeth’s accession to the throne on 6 February 1952, Prince Philip had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy.

The Duke of Edinburgh in his uniform as an Admiral of the Fleet in 1953 Credit: PA Archive

Once his wife became Queen, the Duke sacrificed his career as a Commander in the Royal Navy to fulfill his duties as a royal consort.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh after her Coronation Credit: PA/PA Wire/Press Association Images

In addition to his royal duties, the Duke was a keen sportsman, taking part in charity cricket matches in the 1950s and playing polo until 1971.

The Prince took up polo while serving in Malta and played regularly until 1971.

He also represented Great Britain at several European and World four-in-hand Driving Championships.

The Duke of Edinburgh, with his left arm bandaged, as he returned from polo practice at Cowdray Park in 1963 Credit: PA Archive
Queen Elizabeth II presents a tankard to her husband after his team won a polo match Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association

During the Queen's reign, in addition to his own duties and charitable work, the Duke of Edinburgh is nearly always by his wife's side, accompanying her on numerous public engagements and foreign visits, and being a source of support when she faced challenging times.

In a speech to mark their Golden Wedding anniversary in 1997, the Duke said of their marriage:

The following day, in speech at London's Guildhall in 1997, the Queen paid a warm tribute to her husband saying:

The Queen paid tribute to her husband's "constant strength" as she addressed Parliament in March Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire

In March 2012, in a speech to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, the Queen once again paid tribute to her husband, who she said was "a constant strength and guide."

Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh, Windsor Castle 2011 Credit: National Portrait Gallery/Thomas Struth

On April 7 2011, the photographer Thomas Struth took a picture of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

It shows the Queen and Prince Philip seated together in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.

Struth told the BBC:

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh with Prince Andrew and Prince Harry at Buckingham Palace after Trooping The Colour in London. Credit: PA

In January 2012, to mark his grandmother's reign, Prince Harry paid tribute to his grandfather.

He told the broadcaster Andrew Marr :

The Duke of Cambridge also recently praised Prince Philip in an interview for the ITV documentary Elizabeth: Queen, Wife, Mother.

Prince William told Alan Titchmarsh the Queen appreciated her husband’s well-known sense of humour, even if it sometimes gets him into trouble.

He said:

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh wearing 3D glasses to watch a display during a visit to the University of Sheffield Credit: John Giles/PA Wire