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Prince Philip turns 90 and vows to 'slow down' | Prince Philip turns 90 and vows to 'slow down' |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The Duke of Edinburgh, who has turned 90, has told the BBC he is "winding down" and reducing his workload as a senior member of the royal family. | The Duke of Edinburgh, who has turned 90, has told the BBC he is "winding down" and reducing his workload as a senior member of the royal family. |
href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011vnn2/The_Duke_at_90/" >In an interview with the BBC's Fiona Bruce, the Queen's husband said: "I reckon I've done my bit." | |
His birthday on Friday will be spent hosting a Buckingham Palace event for the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, which is marking its centenary. | His birthday on Friday will be spent hosting a Buckingham Palace event for the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, which is marking its centenary. |
He will attend a private service of thanksgiving at Windsor on Sunday. | He will attend a private service of thanksgiving at Windsor on Sunday. |
However, there will be a 62-gun salute by the Honourable Artillery Company on Friday afternoon. | However, there will be a 62-gun salute by the Honourable Artillery Company on Friday afternoon. |
The Royal Mint has marked the milestone by producing a commemorative £5 coin, available in cupro-nickel, gold and silver, as well as a rare platinum edition at £5,450. | The Royal Mint has marked the milestone by producing a commemorative £5 coin, available in cupro-nickel, gold and silver, as well as a rare platinum edition at £5,450. |
The souvenir piece features a portrait of Prince Philip on one side and the Queen on the other - the first time a reigning monarch and consort have appeared on opposite sides of a UK coin. | The souvenir piece features a portrait of Prince Philip on one side and the Queen on the other - the first time a reigning monarch and consort have appeared on opposite sides of a UK coin. |
Sculptor Mark Richards, who designed the coin, said: "The challenge for me, in creating this design, was to capture a man who gives great support to the monarch and the country, while remaining largely in the background. | Sculptor Mark Richards, who designed the coin, said: "The challenge for me, in creating this design, was to capture a man who gives great support to the monarch and the country, while remaining largely in the background. |
"Therefore I have focused on a close-up of his face with all its accumulated dignity, wisdom and experience." | "Therefore I have focused on a close-up of his face with all its accumulated dignity, wisdom and experience." |
'Sell-by date' | 'Sell-by date' |
The Queen turned 85 in April and she will reach her Diamond Jubilee next year, marking 60 years since she came to the throne. | The Queen turned 85 in April and she will reach her Diamond Jubilee next year, marking 60 years since she came to the throne. |
She married Prince Philip in 1947, making him the longest-serving consort in British history. | She married Prince Philip in 1947, making him the longest-serving consort in British history. |
In the interview with the BBC, he talked about his advancing years, saying it was better to get out "before you reach your sell-by date". | In the interview with the BBC, he talked about his advancing years, saying it was better to get out "before you reach your sell-by date". |
"I reckon I've done my bit so I want to enjoy myself a bit now, with less responsibility, less frantic rushing about, less preparation, less trying to think of something to say," he said. | "I reckon I've done my bit so I want to enjoy myself a bit now, with less responsibility, less frantic rushing about, less preparation, less trying to think of something to say," he said. |
"On top of that, your memory's going - I can't remember names and things." | "On top of that, your memory's going - I can't remember names and things." |
Over many decades, the duke has embraced a range of causes including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and conservation, though he insisted he was not a "green" campaigner. | Over many decades, the duke has embraced a range of causes including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and conservation, though he insisted he was not a "green" campaigner. |
"I think that there's a difference between being concerned for the conservation of nature and being a bunny hugger," he added. | "I think that there's a difference between being concerned for the conservation of nature and being a bunny hugger," he added. |
BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the prince's comments were typically frank admissions. | BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the prince's comments were typically frank admissions. |
He said the Duke of Edinburgh was a no-nonsense royal whose crucial role had been to support the Queen, especially during years of turmoil. | He said the Duke of Edinburgh was a no-nonsense royal whose crucial role had been to support the Queen, especially during years of turmoil. |
On the eve of his birthday Prince Philip, dressed in his Grenadier Guards uniform, took the salute at the annual beating retreat ceremony on Horse Guards Parade. | On the eve of his birthday Prince Philip, dressed in his Grenadier Guards uniform, took the salute at the annual beating retreat ceremony on Horse Guards Parade. |
Watched by 4,000 members of the public, almost 300 members of bands of the Household Division performed under a blue evening sky. | Watched by 4,000 members of the public, almost 300 members of bands of the Household Division performed under a blue evening sky. |
The division was supported by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the United States Army Europe Band and Chorus. | The division was supported by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the United States Army Europe Band and Chorus. |
The latter brought a touch of wartime nostalgia to the ceremony, singing the White Cliffs Of Dover and slow-dancing in pairs. | The latter brought a touch of wartime nostalgia to the ceremony, singing the White Cliffs Of Dover and slow-dancing in pairs. |
The origins of the beating retreat ceremony lie in the early days of chivalry when beating or sounding retreat called a halt to the day's fighting, a return to camp and the mounting of the guard for the night. | The origins of the beating retreat ceremony lie in the early days of chivalry when beating or sounding retreat called a halt to the day's fighting, a return to camp and the mounting of the guard for the night. |