THE ROYAL FAMILY Jokes aside, Philip has

Duke leaves mighty legacy

GAFFE-PRONE Prince Philip, who is now formally retired from public life, once famously asked an Aboriginal elder in Cairns: “Do you still throw spears at each other?”

Ivan Brim jokingly replied that yes, they did.

William Brim, a founder of the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Cairns, said he and his father were not offended.

“I don’t mind – it was quite funny. I found it amusing, but I was rather surprised,” Mr Brim said of the remark, during the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s 2002 Australian tour.

“To me he was just a bit of a larrikin.

“Just observing him during the whole time down at the park, he seemed like a guy that would get on with anybody.”

A royal spokeswoman said at the time the prince did not mean to offend anyone.

“It was a lighthearted remark ... and, of course, no offence was intended.”

While the 96-year-old may appear with Queen Elizabeth, 91, from time to time, last night’s parade by the Royal Marines marked his final royal appearance in his own right.

The Duke was due to appear at the parade, which started just after midnight Australian time, in his position of Captain General of the Royal Marines, a position he has held for the past 64 years.

But he has made his mark in a long and, at times, entertaining relationship with Australia.

Knighted by then prime minister Tony Abbott in 2015, the Duke of Edinburgh played an unwitting role in Mr Abbott’s downfall.

Prince Philip had served Australia with distinction, Mr Abbott said in 2015, noting the royal was patron of more than 800 organisations.

After a public backlash, Mr Abbott later admitted his “captain’s call” was a “stuff-up”.

Prince Philip’s “robust humour” resonated with Australians but his famous propensity for politically incorrect statements perhaps overshadowed other aspects of his impact.

At the 2011 royal reception for the Queen, then PM Julia Gillard said Australian honoured a wise and gracious sovereign who has spent her life in the cause of duty.

“And we will honour the consort who has stood so constantly at your side, himself a true friend of this country in peace and war, an outstanding supporter of science, innovation, and the education and support of our young people, and a man whose robust humour and common sense have always resonated with the Australian character.”

Prince Philip has also left a mark on more than 700,000 young Australians who have completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which began in Australia in 1959.

DO YOU STILL THROW SPEARS AT EACH OTHER?