Philip is forced to miss out on Jutland ceremony on doctor’s orders
PRINCE Philip has pulled out of a major ceremony marking the largest naval battle of the First World War today on his doctor’s advice.
The Queen’s husband has ‘reluctantly’ decided to miss events in Orkney marking 100 years since the Battle of Jutland.
Philip, who will celebrate his 95th birthday on Friday next week, has been unwell and was told it would be unwise to make the long journey to Scotland.
Instead, Princess Anne will be in attendance representing the Royal Family. Sources insist the duke is not in hospital and is unlikely to be admitted unless there is a dramatic change in his condition. But his decision to pull out of such a high profile engagement is another reminder of his underlying fragility and advancing years.
In 2012, he was taken to hospital after developing a urinary infection during the river pageant to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and, in 2011, underwent surgery to have a stent fitted after suffering heart problems.
In a statement from Buckingham Palace, a spokesman said last night: ‘Following doctor’s advice, the Duke of Edinburgh has reluctantly decided not to attend the commemorations marking the Battle of Jutland in Kirkwall and Hoy. The Princess Royal, who was already attending the events,
‘Reluctant decision’
will represent the Royal Family.’ The Jutland commemorations include services at St Magnus Cathedral on Kirkwall, at a cemetery for service personnel near Scapa Flow, and another seaborne remembrance service where British and German naval representatives will scatter poppies and forgetme- nots – the German flower of remembrance – into the North Sea at Jutland Bank.
It is understood Philip has no plans to cancel any other engagements and is likely to be back on duty as early as tomorrow.
Next week will see three days of national celebrations to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.
A fortnight shy of his 95th birthday, Philip crammed in seven public engagements over just four working days last week.
Whether in top hat and tails at a Buckingham Palace garden party or meeting the military in his role as Colonel-inChief of the Intelligence Corps, it was a punishing week by anyone’s standards. But some say Prince Philip will continue with his hectic schedule until his last day. ‘ With his character? He will do it until he drops!’ said Lady Myra Butter, who has known the Queen’s husband since he was a young boy.
Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who is Philip’s first cousin and is herself 92, told the Daily Mail this week: ‘ What one has come to appreciate is that the Queen and Prince Philip are always going to go on for as long as they possibly can, doing a job that would be really impossible to do as well if they were apart.’
All of those in the couple’s inner circle agree that, as the Queen once said herself, the nation owes Philip a debt of gratitude.
‘It won’t be until he has gone that anyone appreciates the incredible contribution he has made to this country, which is always the way, isn’t it?’ said Lady Butter.
‘I remember the Coronation, it was terribly moving when he knelt down in front of the Queen and pledged to be her liege.
‘He had his whole career ahead of him, he could have been an admiral in his own right. It was an enormous decision for him. His sense of duty carried him through.’
She added: ‘I think it’s wonderful to think that in all her long life, the Queen has had the love and support of the man she loves.
‘Prince Philip has been amazing in all that time, in supporting her, giving up much of his own naval career, in order to do this new job with her.’ The Battle of Jutland began on May 31, 1916 when the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet, based at Scapa Flow, Orkney, clashed with the German High Seas Fleet.
Prince Albert – later King George VI and the duke’s father-in-law – fought in the battle, which saw more than 8,000 die.