Stoic duke defies the rain to deliver a last blunt message
BRITAIN: With a typical joke and a determination to see things through the Duke of Edinburgh yesterday carried out his last official engagement before retiring at the age of 96.
After more than 22,200 such engagements, the duke stepped onto the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, this time in his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines.
It is understood his grandson Prince Harry is being lined up to take over as the regiment’s captain general, with senior military figures keen for it to go to a member of the royal family who, like Prince Philip, has seen combat.
The event was symbolic in more ways than one. Sixty-four years ago – in one of his first public roles on the coronation of the Queen in June 1953 – Prince Philip was appointed Captain General of the Royal Marines, in succession to the late King George VI.
Yesterday saw his last outing in that role when he attended a parade to mark the finale of the regiment’s 1664 Global Challenge, which has seen men from the Royal Marines running around Britain over a 100 days and complete a number of similar feats of endurance.
The duke had a characteristic assessment of the grit and determination that kind of physical challenge takes. ‘‘You should all be locked up,’’ he told them.
It is the kind of bluff, nononsense remark that will be familiar to anyone who has met the duke during the thousands of visits, plaque unveilings, tours of hospitals and regimental inspections he has carried out over the years.
It was no doubt this sort of attitude that yesterday led him to dispense with any suggestion of a rainproof shelter, while taking the parade. He spent a considerable amount of time beneath the rain talking to members of the regiment, including those who had undertaken the challenge.
Every man and woman present was aware of the parade’s significance, and a lusty cry rang out when RSM Phil Gilby barked the call for ‘‘three cheers for the captain general’’. In return Prince Philip lifted his bowler hat and gave a little wave, in recognition of the men under his command.
Then as the band played For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow, he waved and strode across the forecourt for the last time in his official capacity, his duty to Queen and country done. – Telegraph Group