The Tribune

By PETER YOUNG

The news that the Duke of Edinburgh would no longer be attending Royal public events came as a shock to many who feared that at the age of nearly 96 it was for sudden serious medical reasons.

However, according to the official announcement, the reason was not health-related but simply a matter of a partial withdrawal, on his own terms, from public life.

In his inimitable way, Prince Philip made light of what was clearly a major decision when, in response to a well-wisher who expressed regret that he was ‘standing down’, told him ‘well, I can’t stand up any more’. In similar style, he was also quoted as saying that it was ‘better to get out before you reach the sell-by date and are called doddery as a nonagenarian’, even though he had become, as he called it, the most experienced ‘plaque unveiler’ in history.

It has been suggested that, for a man who has been exceptionally active all his life, he thought that this was the time to go for fear of becoming a burden on, rather than an asset to, the nearly 800 charities, bodies and organisations of which he is patron, president or a member. However, apparently he will continue to be associated with a good number of these though with no active role.

The figures for his activity over so many years are staggering - 22,191 solo engagements and 637 overseas visits, and even last year he carried out 110 days of public engagements.

Having been married in 1947, Prince Philip has become the longest-serving royal consort in British history. By common consent, the Queen, who for her part is the longest-reigning monarch, could not have been so effective as head of state without him at her side - an example of constancy for others to emulate in their own different ways. Handsome and distinguished looking, he was ambitious, talented and an alpha male who, reportedly, had the ability to rise to the top in the Royal Navy, in which he served with distinction, if he had not married the Queen.

He accepted that the traditional rules of marriage would be inverted so that not only would he always be walking two paces behind his wife but he would have to concentrate on so-called domestic duties while being free to pursue his own myriad interests and causes. These included establishment of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme (known in the Bahamas as the Governor General’s Youth Award) which was considered to be one of his most significant achievements both nationally and internationally. He last visited Nassau in this connection 20 years ago and I found it a delight to accompany him on his appointments at that time.

Overall, Prince Philip has been judged to have played his role perfectly from the start and he has attracted over the years an almost tidal wave of enthusiasm. Some people consider that his legendary off-the-cuff remarks, gaffes and quips, some of which have landed him temporarily in hot water, have contributed to his popularity; and many have chuckled at these numerous jokes and indiscretions which have been well documented both in book and video form. But they have never overshadowed the seriousness of his role.

Following the announcement of his standing down from official Royal duties, Prime Minister Theresa May said that the whole country recognised his steadfast support for the Queen over the last 70 years of a royal marriage and offered deepest gratitude and good wishes.

The Queen continues to provide the stability and continuity which underpins the nation’s democracy. Without the Duke of Edinburgh accompanying her at the helm, this will be a new era for the Royal family. Her Majesty has already called for other family members to place more emphasis on state matters from now on and to become more closely involved at that level.

Most people will surely hope for their continued success in this unique role of representing Britain and wish them all well.

• Peter Young is a retired British diplomat living in Nassau. From 1996 to 2000 he was British High Commissioner to The Bahamas.