Prince Philip’s 100th birthday: youngest son Prince Edward opens up about his late father and how the British royal family is marking the centenary – exclusive interview

Jun 10 , 2021

Britain’s Prince Edward spoke exclusively to STYLE about the late Duke of Edinburgh’s legacy. Photos: AFP, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation

Prince Philip and his sons Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward all attended Kurt Hahn’s Gordonstoun school – inspiring The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Talking exclusively to STYLE, the Earl of Wessex remembers his late father’s achievements and legacy on what would have been his 100th birthday

Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years, would have turned 100 years old today, June 10. STYLE spoke exclusively with Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, the queen and Prince Philip’s youngest son and brother to Prince Charles, about the Duke of Edinburgh’s legacy and how the British royal family is marking his centenary.

He was extremely well travelled and he was always encouraging people

Prince Edward on his late father, Prince Philip

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on the saluting dais at Kai Tak during his visit to Hong Kong in 1959. Photo: Government Public Relations Offices, Hong Kong

“He was known for loads of activities, but he was a pioneer in conservation and he was there at the beginning when WWF was founded,” says the earl, who is now 13th in line to the British throne since the recent birth of Lilibet Diana, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter. “He was always interested in design and technology. He was extremely well travelled and he was always encouraging people.”

The Duke of Edinburgh supported 992 charities in his lifetime, either as a patron, an honorary member or in other capacities, but arguably his most famous one, because of its global reach, was The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

The award programme was founded in 1956 by the duke based on the ideas of German educator Kurt Hahn, who also founded and was headmaster of Gordonstoun, the school in Moray, Scotland. Not only did Prince Philip attend – so did his sons, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, meeting Hong Kong footballers at the Memorial Cup final at the South China Stadium during his visit to Hong Kong in 1959. Photo: SCMP

Millions of young people across the world between the ages of 14 and 24 have now taken part – and received bronze, silver and gold awards – by completing activities outside the classroom, broadening their physical activities and skills, volunteering and going on expeditions.

“My father was extraordinary modest about it [having such a global reach], but from very early on word began to spread and Hong Kong was one of the first to pick it up,” says the earl, who now helms the awards. “Hong Kong is celebrating its 60th anniversary [of the awards] this year. So it’s been there since the early days.” Hong Kong’s branch is now known as The Hong Kong Award for Young People, or HKAYP.