• Faith: Christian
• Career: Public Figure
• Birthday:  June 10, 1921
• Date of Death:  April 09, 2021

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II and the longest-serving consort of a British monarch. Born into Greek and Danish royalty, Philip overcame an unsettled childhood to build a distinguished naval career before spending nearly seven decades supporting the queen and carrying out public duties on behalf of the British monarchy.

Prince Philip was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark on June 10, 1921, on the Greek island of Corfu. He was the only son and youngest of five children born to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

His early childhood was marked by political upheaval. Following Greece's defeat in the Greco-Turkish War, his family was forced into exile when Philip was an infant. They settled in France, but the family later became increasingly separated. His mother experienced serious mental health problems and spent time in psychiatric care, while his father lived largely apart from the family. Philip's four older sisters eventually married German aristocrats.

Philip was educated in France, Germany and Britain. He later attended Gordonstoun, a Scottish boarding school known for its emphasis on discipline, physical fitness and self-reliance.

Philip joined Britain's Royal Navy in 1939 and graduated from the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. During World War II, he served in the Mediterranean and Pacific fleets and participated in several major operations. He was present in Tokyo Bay when Japan formally surrendered in September 1945.

Philip's promising naval career ended after his wife became queen. He left active service in 1952 with the rank of commander to devote himself to his responsibilities as royal consort.

Over the following decades, Philip became one of the busiest members of the royal family. He served as patron, president or member of more than 780 organizations and developed particular interests in conservation, engineering, technology, sports and youth development.

In 1956, he founded the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, a youth achievement program that grew internationally. By the time he retired from official public duties in 2017 at age 96, Philip had completed more than 22,000 solo engagements and delivered thousands of speeches.

Philip first met Princess Elizabeth as a child, but the relationship that eventually led to marriage developed after they met again at the Royal Naval College in 1939. The pair corresponded while Philip served in the Navy.

Before their engagement, Philip renounced his Greek and Danish titles, became a naturalized British subject and adopted the surname Mountbatten. He and Elizabeth married at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947.

They had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. Their marriage lasted more than 73 years, making Philip a constant presence beside Elizabeth throughout nearly her entire reign.

Known for his direct manner, dry humor and sometimes controversial remarks, Philip generally viewed his primary royal responsibility as supporting his wife. He also pursued interests including polo, sailing, painting and carriage driving.

Prince Philip died at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, at age 99, two months before his 100th birthday. His death came after several years of declining health and shortly after a month-long hospitalization.

His funeral was held at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, attendance was limited to 30 people. He was initially placed in the Royal Vault before his remains were transferred to the King George VI Memorial Chapel following Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022.

Prince Philip's Religious Beliefs

Prince Philip was baptized into the Greek Orthodox Church but later became a member of the Church of England before marrying Elizabeth in 1947. Although he generally spoke about religion less publicly than his wife, Christian faith remained an important part of his life.

Philip was particularly interested in theology and the relationship between Christianity, science, society and the natural world. In 1966, he helped establish St George's House at Windsor Castle as a place where clergy, laypeople and leaders could discuss religious and social questions. Its first consultation examined the role of the Church in modern society. He also wrote and collaborated on books dealing with Christianity and religious thought.

Church leaders who knew Philip described his faith as sincere but largely private. Following his death, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said Philip's "faith in Jesus Christ was an important part of his life and one which shaped who he was." Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby described Philip's life of service and his marriage to Elizabeth as rooted in their "shared faith in Christ."