A Scots schooling
How Gordonstoun moulded the man who ‘did not know what boredom was’
THE Duke of Edinburgh’s connection with Scotland began years before he even set foot on the grounds of Balmoral with the Queen. He was 13 years old when he was sent to Gordonstoun in the Scottish Highlands and was among a handful of founding pupils.
In 1933, Philip had attended Salem School in Baden, Germany, where German progressive educationalist Dr Kurt Hahn had established one of the world’s best-known private schools.
Salem aimed to combine academic excellence with character-building, emphasising the importance of each pupil realising his own potential.
But by the time Philip arrived, Dr Hahn had fallen foul of the Nazis, whose policies he resolutely opposed.
Dr Hahn was imprisoned for “the decadent corruption of German youth” and only the intervention of British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald secured his release.
He fled to Britain and founded a new school, Gordonstoun, near Elgin in Morayshire.
For the next five years, Philip completed his schooling at Gordonstoun and it was later chosen for all three of his sons – including the Prince of Wales, who was bullied and disliked his time there – and two of his grandchildren.
The school motto is “Plus est en Vous” – “There is more in you than you think”.
At Gordonstoun, Philip excelled at sports, becoming captain of both the hockey and cricket teams.
He was made guardian – or head boy – in his last term.
The school placed an emphasis on outdoor activities, particularly seamanship and expeditions, and later became the inspiration for Philip’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
Report card
HIS school report from 1938 was particularly revealing of his strong character. Philip’s academic achievements were praised, including his “unusual grasp of cause and effect in human affairs” and his talent for languages.
Dr Hahn described him as an intelligent and courageous pupil, but clearly one not without his faults.
The headmaster wrote: “Prince Philip has unusual courage and endurance ... and does not know what boredom is when intent on discharging his duties.
“The lure of the moment remains his danger ... He has the makings of a first-class organiser; he is both kind and firm. As a leader of games he is at times too irritable.”
He added that Philip was: “Never failing where he has to consider other people’s rights or interests; when balked in his plans, still inclined to jump to angry conclusions.”
In the following years, Balmoral, in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, one of the royals’ favourite places, held many memories for the Duke of Edinburgh.
Each summer, the Queen and Philip along with various members of their family would head to the private castle on for some downtime away from busy public life in London.
Even the coronavirus pandemic did not stop the couple’s annual retreat to Scotland, with the monarch and the duke managing to leave Windsor Castle last August to make the annual pilgrimage after months in lockdown.
The Queen was once said to never be happier than when she was at Balmoral, where the family spent their time riding, fishing or walking. time,” she said. “It’s a lovely base for granny and grandpa, for us to come and see them up there; where you just have room to breathe and run.”
Years of royal memories were forged at Balmoral, including family barbecues, where Philip did the cooking and the Queen the washing-up. Friends and IT is her private home, handed family were invited to join them down through generations of throughout the summer months royals after being bought for for walks, picnics and events
Queen Victoria by Prince Albert such as the annual Ghillies Ball, in 1852. Philip, too, loved the hosted by the Queen in the castle outdoor life that was ballroom. synonymous with their annual Each morning residents were break, which stretched from the woken by a lone piper playing end of July into October. below the Queen’s bedroom
Princess Eugenie, the Queen window. and duke’s granddaughter, once The royal couple also attended described Balmoral as the most the annual Highland Games, the beautiful place on Earth. Braemar Gathering, and were
“Walks, picnics, dogs – a lot of usually pictured in fits of dogs, there’s always dogs – and laughter, watching the caber people coming in and out all the tossing and the tug of war. Prince Philip’s time in Scotland: a photo tribute Turn to pages 26, 71, 72 and 73
Annual break
Gordonstoun was chosen for all three of his sons – including the Prince of Wales, who was bullied and disliked his time there