Tributes highlight the late Duke of Edinburgh's heritage, service, and decades-long marriage to Queen Elizabeth II
The British royal family quietly marked the birthday of the late Prince Philip, father of King Charles III, on Tuesday. Although the family's official social media accounts did not post a public tribute, a gesture of recognition appeared through a visible "like" on an Instagram post shared by the Royal Collection Trust.
The trust honored the late Duke of Edinburgh by sharing a portrait painted by artist Ralph Heimans to commemorate Philip's retirement from public duties in 2017 at the age of 96. Prince Philip, who was born on June 10, 1921, passed away in 2021 at the age of 99.
In its caption, the Royal Collection Trust noted that Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II were married for 73 years. The portrait shows him wearing the Windsor Uniform along with the pale blue sash and badge of the Danish Order of the Elephant.
The post also highlighted the significance of the painting's setting. The Grand Corridor at Windsor Castle and the Danish order featured in the artwork reflect Prince Philip's royal ancestry. Born a prince of Greece and Denmark, he came from a family with deep ties to several European royal houses.
The caption further explained that his grandfather, King George I of Greece, was the brother of Queen Alexandra. It also noted that both his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, and his maternal grandmother, Princess Victoria of Hesse, were born in Windsor Castle's Tapestry Room. Princess Victoria was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, adding another connection to Britain's royal history.
While the occasion was observed without a formal statement from the royal family, the tribute served as a reminder of Prince Philip's enduring legacy and his important place in the history of the monarchy.
