Prince Philip, 96, takes part in his LAST public engagement after an incredible 65 years of royal duties as soldiers play For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow
THE Duke of Edinburgh left his final solo royal engagement to the tune of For He's A Jolly Good Fellow as he entered retirement after 65 years.
Marking the end of an era, Prince Philip was hailed as "historic" by senior officers who described the 96-year-old as a "wonderful figurehead for all Royal Marines to look up to".
Soldiers cheered Hip Hip Hooray as he lifted his hat in the air at the end of his last official event at Buckingham Palace.
The retiring royal didn't let the bad weather dampen his spirits as he waved to crowds who had turned out to see him at his last event in the pouring rain.
The former Royal Navy officer has attended 22,219 solo engagements and 637 overseas tours since 1952 in a career marked by his famous gaffes.
He has spent the past few months joking about his impending retirement - even telling celebrity cook Prue Leith at a Palace event "I'm discovering what it's like to be on your last legs".
He laughed with senior officers as he marked the end of an impressive 65 years championing his own causes and charities.
In May the Queen's Consort announced he would be retiring from royal engagements after more than 65 years supporting the monarch in her role as head of state and attending events for his own charities and organisations.
Philip, 96, was praised at the time for his public service with Prime Minister Theresa May leading the tributes saying he had given the Queen "steadfast support'', while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the Duke's ''clear sense of public duty'' had inspired people for more than 60 years.
Despite his age Philip's decision - which was fully supported by the Queen and was not medically related - came as a surprise as he still appeared to relish meeting people and carrying out his public role.
Buckingham Palace has stressed although the Duke's diary of engagements will come to an end on Wednesday he may decide to attend certain events, alongside the Queen, from time to time.
The Queen's public schedule continues as normal but other members of the Royal Family will step up in support of the monarch in her role as head of state.
Prince Philip pictured in 1958
Today the Duke, in his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines, met some of the runners including two Royal Marines who have completed the 1664 Global Challenge.
His association with the Royal Marines dates back 64 years to June 2, 1953 when he was appointed Captain General in succession to the late King George VI.
The challenge, which recognises the year 1664 when the Corps was founded, has seen Royal Marines all over the world raising money for the military unit's charity with a number of ingenious feats.
The 1,664 mile running challenge began in Plymouth on April 25 with Royal Marines running 16.64 miles a day for 100 days, with the gruelling trek due to end at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
Cpl Thompson, from Carlisle, today said: "This is historic because this is the Duke's last royal engagement and we're a part of it, the Royal Marines are a part of it - so it's an absolute honour."
This is historic because this is the Duke's last royal engagement and we're a part of it, the Royal Marines are a part of it - so it's an absolute honour.
Corporal Thompson
Lieutenant Colonel Gary Green, who devised the 1664 Global Challenge, said: "It's an honour for the Armed Forces having the Duke of Edinburgh's last public engagement with the Corps and the Royal Navy - it's brilliant, we're delighted."
He added: "The Duke of Edinburgh is all about challenges, he's all about charity work and helping people and having somebody like the Duke as head of the Royal Marines, it just helps the Corps with our own challenges.
"With somebody who's head of the Corps, who's quite exceptional in what he does, it makes the Corps exceptional, it builds our Commando spirit and he's a wonderful figurehead for all Royal Marines to look up to."
Prince Philip’s biggest clangers
THE Duke of Edinburgh's off-the-cuff comments have made the public chuckle and cringe during his 70 years of public service.
- British women can’t cook — To the Scottish Women’s Institute in 1961.
- You have mosquitoes. I have the Press — Caribbean hospital, 1966.
- I’d like to go to Russia very much, although the bastards murdered half my family — 1967.
- What do you gargle with, pebbles? — To singer Tom Jones after 1969 Royal Variety Performance.
- We go into the red next year. I shall have to give up polo — 1969.
- You’re just a silly little Whitehall twit — To a civil servant, 1970.
- If it doesn’t fart or eat hay, she isn’t interested — On Princess Anne, 1970.
- If he had succeeded, she would have given him a hell of a time — On Princess Royal kidnap attempt, 1974.
- Years ago everybody was working too much. Now everybody’s complaining they’re unemployed. People don’t seem to make up their minds what they want — On 1981 recession.
- You didn’t design your beard too well — To designer Stephen Judge, 2009.
- Are you all one family? — To multi-ethnic Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity in 2009.
- There's a lot of your family in tonight — To business man Atul Patel at Indian reception in 2009.
- How many people have you knocked over this morning? — Meeting mobility scooter rider David Miller in 2012.
- I would get arrested if I unzipped that dress — On Jubilee visit in 2012.
- (Children) go to school because their parents don’t want them in the house — To Malala Yousafzai, attacked by the Taliban after campaigning for girls to go to school, in 2013.
- The Philippines must be half empty as you're all here running the NHS - To NHS nurse in 2013.
- Do you work in a strip club? — To a female sea cadet in 2015.
- Just take the f***ing picture! — To snapper in 2015
Royal Marines from around the globe have also been taking part in extreme events including a 34-mile swim underwater and a company of Royal Marines lifting more than 20,000 tonnes and running 10,000 kilometres.
During the event Philip will also meet veterans and cadets before receiving the 1664 Global Challenge baton.
The parade will end with a march past, a royal salute and three cheers for the Captain General.
Over the years Philip has attended many Royal Marines events and in 2014, to mark the Corps' 350th anniversary, the Duke wore his full ceremonial uniform as Captain General to the state opening of parliament.
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