Thank you for the years of duty, say his 800 charities

CHARITIES yesterday thanked Prince Philip for championing their causes – and said that they hoped to keep his patronage after his retirement.

From joining the fight to save the panda to spreading literacy in Africa and raising awareness of muscular dystrophy, the duke has been involved in an extraordinary array of good causes for decades.

The surprise announcement that he was stepping down prompted some of the almost 800 organisations he is associated with to call Buckingham Palace for clarification on what it meant for them.

They were reassured that, despite withdrawing from public contact with his charities, Philip will still keep in touch via correspondence, including signing certificates and sending messages.

A royal source said: ‘Essentially he is patron, president or member of over 780 organisations and he will gladly and willingly remain associated with those. He just won’t play an active role. If a patronage decides that it would like somebody else as patron, it is entirely a matter for them.

‘He is more than content to retain his association with organisations but if they chose to seek a successor that’s absolutely for them and understood.’

Organisers of his best known charity, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, which he founded in 1956, said he would continue as patron. However, it is understand he will no longer present gold awards, a duty now expected to be taken over by Prince Edward.

In a statement, the charity thanked Philip for working ‘tirelessly’ to enable millions of young people to have the opportunity to transform their lives through the scheme. Robert Meadowcroft, chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, said Philip remained the charity’s ‘dedicated patron’.

He said for over 50 years the duke had been a ‘precious asset’ in the fight against musclewasting conditions. ‘Through the decades, the Duke of Edinburgh has helped to raise awareness and promote understanding of this vitally important cause,’ he added.

‘He has also met hundreds of individuals and families who struggle to live with muscular dystrophy every day. These moments and memories will be cherished for many years to come.’

Tanya Steele, of WWFUK, hailed Philip as a ‘true champion for the environment’ and ‘pivotal patron’ of the wildlife charity since its earliest days.

‘With his unswerving support WWF has played a key role in securing huge conservation successes while raising awareness of the most pressing issues affecting the future of our planet,’ she said. ‘These include an increase in wild tiger numbers, the giant panda no longer listed as endangered and over 190 countries committing to tackling climate change.’

Alison Tweed from Book Aid International, which supplies libraries across Africa, said its staff, volunteers and the millions who have read the books it provided sent their ‘deepest gratitude’ to Philip for more than half a century’s support.

Simon Gillespie, chief executive at the British Heart Foundation said: ‘His work as patron over the years has helped us to shine a light on the devastating impact of heart disease and the importance of our life saving heart research.

‘We wish Prince Philip well for a muchdeserved retirement from public engagements and we look forward to his continued support in the future.’

Smaller charities and groups have also enjoyed his support, including the

‘Not just a figurehead’

Accrington Camera Club in Lancashire, of which he has been a life member since 1977. Harry Emmett from the club said: ‘We wrote on the off chance to see if he would like to submit any photos he had taken to an exhibition we were having.

‘The next thing we knew, the curator of the gallery hosting the exhibition had a call from Buckingham Palace checking if we were genuine. A caseload of prints he had taken on holiday were later delivered. The great thing about it was, it was something that he had a passion for, a hobby that he was sharing with others rather than just being a figurehead.

‘Since then he’s remained a member, which we’re very grateful for and which has given us great bragging rights over other camera clubs. Having his name is the ultimate oneupmanship.’