Prince Philip dies: Rare footage of Duke’s life and career are seen for first time

Prince Philip’s death this morning marked the end of an extraordinary life that saw him dedicate more than 70 years to public service. 

The Duke of Edinburgh, who would have turned 100 in June, was a decorated war hero in his younger days before winning the heart of a young Queen Elizabeth and becoming the longest-serving royal consort in British history.

Now, a poignant video tribute by the Daily Mail’s Robert Hardman has revealed unseen footage of Prince Philip’s distinguished royal career.

The Duke retired from public duties in 2017 after seven decades of dedicated service and more than 22,000 engagements. 

His work as royal consort saw him travel all over the UK and the world, both with the Queen and alone, and charm the public, Hollywood stars and foreign dignitaries. 

As a former captain in the Royal Navy, his devotion to the armed forces was well-known. The newly-released footage shows Prince Philip looking on with pride at his final engagement as Royal Marines parade outside Buckingham Palace in 2017. 

Other clips show him in his younger days, including his wedding to the Queen in 1947 with shots of crowds celebrating the big day while their vows play on a backing track.

The obituary also looks at his upbringing in Greece – from which he escaped war-torn in a cot crafted from a fruit box after his family escaped after his father was charged with high treason. 

There is also footage of him serving in the Navy, as well as clips from his many engagements alongside the Queen.

We see him enjoying his time with his children, as well as with Prince William, who delivers a poignant statement about his love for his grandfather.  

The touching obituary concludes with Prince Philip laughing off questions about his legacy – instead saying: ‘I’d rather other people decide my legacy.’ 

The touching video obituary can also be seen here: https://www.mailplus.co.uk/ 

The Queen and Prince Philip’s wedding, attended by an array of foreign kings and queens, captured the public imagination in the austere post-war days of November 1947

A young Prince Philip is pictured here being greeted by war time Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1955. The Duke retired from public duties in 2017 after seven decades of dedicated service and more than 22,000 engagements

A young Prince Philip is pictured here being greeted by war time Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1955. The Duke retired from public duties in 2017 after seven decades of dedicated service and more than 22,000 engagements

The touching obituary concludes with Prince Philip laughing off questions about his legacy - instead saying: 'I'd rather other people decide my legacy'

The touching obituary concludes with Prince Philip laughing off questions about his legacy – instead saying: ‘I’d rather other people decide my legacy’

Philip, born in June 1921, was a Prince of Greece but with no Greek blood and in fact had a complex background. His family fled Corfu in December 1922 after his father, in the Greek army, was arrested and charged with high treason

Philip, born in June 1921, was a Prince of Greece but with no Greek blood and in fact had a complex background. His family fled Corfu in December 1922 after his father, in the Greek army, was arrested and charged with high treason

His work as royal consort saw him travel all over the UK and the world, both with the Queen and alone, and charm the public, Hollywood stars and foreign dignitaries

His work as royal consort saw him travel all over the UK and the world, both with the Queen and alone, and charm the public, Hollywood stars and foreign dignitaries

Together for more than 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh has supported the monarch through the ups and down of her life and reign, including throughout the time they have spent together at Windsor Castle as part of 'HMS Bubble'

Together for more than 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh has supported the monarch through the ups and down of her life and reign, including throughout the time they have spent together at Windsor Castle as part of ‘HMS Bubble’

The Queen and the Duke shared an irreplaceable bond - united at key moments of history, witnessed from the unique viewpoint of a monarch and her consort

The Queen and the Duke shared an irreplaceable bond – united at key moments of history, witnessed from the unique viewpoint of a monarch and her consort

They travelled the globe together, endured state visit after state visit, and thousands of engagements over the years - all made more bearable with one another's company and through the knowledge they were in it as a duo - albeit one wearing the crown

They travelled the globe together, endured state visit after state visit, and thousands of engagements over the years – all made more bearable with one another’s company and through the knowledge they were in it as a duo – albeit one wearing the crown

They married in the 1940s and saw together the rapid advances in modern life from man walking on the moon for the first time to the invention of the internet

They married in the 1940s and saw together the rapid advances in modern life from man walking on the moon for the first time to the invention of the internet

The Greek prince's early life was marked by upheaval - so his words were filled with meaning when he told Princess Elizabeth in 1946 how his love for her made all his past struggle - and the horrors the world had just been through - seem trivial by comparison

The Greek prince’s early life was marked by upheaval – so his words were filled with meaning when he told Princess Elizabeth in 1946 how his love for her made all his past struggle – and the horrors the world had just been through – seem trivial by comparison

Prince Philip relinquished his roles in the military and put country first to join Her Majesty and remain steadfastly by her side through thick and thin, for some 73 years

Prince Philip relinquished his roles in the military and put country first to join Her Majesty and remain steadfastly by her side through thick and thin, for some 73 years

Following the end of the Second World War, Philip ended his active naval career in July 1951 and then started to focus on his work in supporting the Queen following her accession to the throne in 1952

Following the end of the Second World War, Philip ended his active naval career in July 1951 and then started to focus on his work in supporting the Queen following her accession to the throne in 1952

The Duke also spent much of his life involved in charities and organisations working within environmental conservation, sport, the military and engineering – with a particular interest in scientific and technological research

The Duke also spent much of his life involved in charities and organisations working within environmental conservation, sport, the military and engineering – with a particular interest in scientific and technological research

Philip played a prominent part in various aspects of British life through his role as consort or companion to the Sovereign, accompanying the Queen on most of her Commonwealth tours and State Visits overseas as well as trips around the UK

Philip played a prominent part in various aspects of British life through his role as consort or companion to the Sovereign, accompanying the Queen on most of her Commonwealth tours and State Visits overseas as well as trips around the UK

Many courtiers feel that since Philip, who used to rule his family with an iron fist, retired from public life, 'discipline' within the royal family has not been what it should be

Many courtiers feel that since Philip, who used to rule his family with an iron fist, retired from public life, ‘discipline’ within the royal family has not been what it should be

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