At the age of 96, Prince Philip has made his 22,129th — and final — solo public engagement today.
And it seems fitting that it was to meet a group of Royal Marines who completed a 1,664 mile (2,2678 km) trek to raise money for charity.
Over the decades Prince Philip has become well known, not only for his quips and social fauxpas, but also as a leading ambassador for charities both in the UK and around the world, making him a true global citizen.
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He is patron, president, or a member of more than 780 charities and organisations, addressing issues that range from heart disease in the UK to literacy in Africa.
Three cheers for Prince Philip & a final wave from him, as he ends his last public engagement at Buckingham Palace https://t.co/4RER4UZl11pic.twitter.com/rNjXftqrLE
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 2, 2017
His Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme has inspired young people for more than 60 years in over 140 nations and is one of the UK’s best known charities.
When it was announced back in May that he would be retiring today, the news was greeted with a flurry of tributes from both heads of state and from charities that he has supported throughout his career.
“From his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen to his inspirational Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his patronage of hundreds of charities and good causes, his contribution to our United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider world will be of huge benefit to us all for years to come,” Prime Minister Theresa May said.
John Low, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: “Prince Philip has a long record of supporting charities in the UK and around the world, both behind the scenes and publicly.”
He added: “The Royal Family plays a vital role supporting charities and encouraging people to give. Many of us might not have heard of some of these remarkable charities if it were not for the Royal Family’s enduring commitment to them.”
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Prince Philip has also been a proud champion of environmental and conservation issues.
Tanya Steele, of WWF-UK, described Prince Philip as a “true champion for the environment” and a “pivotal patron” of the wildlife charity since its early days.
She added: “With his unswerving support WWF has played a key role in securing huge conservation successes while raising awareness of the most pressing issues affecting the future of our planet.”
Despite his retirement, Buckingham Palace has said that Prince Philip will continue to be associated with the charities, and he will still accompany the queen on occasional engagements.