Philip’s fitting final engagement

THE Duke of Edinburgh’s long life at the heart of the royal family saw him complete 22,219 solo engagements and many thousands more at the side of his wife.

After 65 years, having become the Queen’s consort when she acceded to the throne in 1952, Philip completed his last public event on August 2, 2017.

He braved the pouring rain to congratulate Royal Marines who had pushed themselves to the limit in a series of charity fundraising challenges.

The duke, who was the Captain General of the Royal Marines, wore his Royal

Marines tie for the occasion, a raincoat and his famous bowler hat.

Those who were present said the day had a relaxed feel, even though the duke received a Royal Salute from the guard of honour and the national anthem was observed.

Philip joked that those who had participated in the 1664 Global Challenge – named after the year the Royal Marines were founded – should be “locked up” for their madcap feats.

He met Corporal Will Gingell, 33, and Corporal Jamie Thompson, 31, who ran 1,664 miles over 100 days. Cpl Gingell said on the day: “I think he was pretty upbeat, considering the weather and considering he’s 96. He was chatty, he seemed happy to be there and was interested in what we’d done.”

The duke also chatted to Sergeant Matt Burley, a physical training instructor, who swam 1,664 lengths underwater over 10 days and Lieutenant Colonel Aldeiy Alderson, who ran 100 kilometres in 12 hours wearing his Royal Marines uniform and polished boots.

Lieutenant Colonel Gary Green, who devised the 1664 Global Challenge, said at the time: “This day is hugely historic when you look back at when the duke became Captain General in 1953, 64 years later this is his last (solo) event in public.”

PA photographer Yui Mok’s most enduring memory of Philip’s final engagement is the torrential rain.

“I was worried about my camera getting wet and if it would survive the weather,” he said.

“The duke came out in his bowler hat and his trench coat and he was very matter of fact about it.

“He was 95 and he was braving the elements, but there was no fuss and he just got on with it and did the engagement.”