THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Queen sprang a 90th birthday surprise on the Duke of Edinburgh yesterday by making him Lord High Admiral, the titular head of the Royal Navy.
Her Majesty has held the title herself since a re-organisation of the Navy in 1964, but decided to bestow it on her husband as a gift to mark his landmark birthday and to show her gratitude for his unstinting support during 59 years as her consort.
A royal insider said the Duke was “really, really touched” by the honour, which the Queen told him about during a private birthday lunch for two at Buckingham Palace.
“The Duke’s great passion in life was the Royal Navy,” said the insider, “so this it’s just the most amazing gift for the Queen to have given him. It was a complete surprise and he only found out about it when the Queen told him during their lunch.”
The title is a particularly fitting gift for the Duke, who served with the Mediterranean and Pacific fleets during the Second World War, and will be seen as a recognition by the Queen of the sacrifice her husband made by giving up his Naval career to be her full-time consort when she became monarch in 1952. » | Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter | Friday, June 10, 2011
VANCOUVER SUN: OTTAWA — To commemorate Prince Philip's 90th birthday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Friday that the Duke of Edinburgh had been appointed to the top ranks of the Canadian Forces.
Prince Philip was appointed as an honorary admiral and general, marking the first time the high ranks have been granted on an honorary basis.
"I am delighted that His Royal Highness has accepted this honour from Canada in recognition of his significant contribution to our national life," Harper said in a statement. "His unwavering support of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and his commitment to the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as to many other fields of endeavour in this country, are worthy of our highest recognition and deepest gratitude."
With the most recent appointments, Prince Philip becomes an admiral in maritime command and a general in land forces and air command. He is allowed to wear the ranks on all three uniforms of the Canadian Forces. » | POSTMEDIA NEWS | Friday, June 10, 2011
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