Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Amazing for his age!

In June, the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated his 87th birthday. While most men of his age are playing golf and celebrating retirement, Prince Philip continues to carry out a fair number of engagements this year. Although he was briefly hospitalized earlier this year, Prince Philip is like the Energizer Bunny, and keeps on going. He is currently in Ghana in Africa for a two- day visit - here are links to stories from the local papers.

http://www.graphicghana.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=4291&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2364&hn=graphicghana&he=.com

http://www.peacefmonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15553&Itemid=32

5 comments:

Denis said...

Now, I think Prince Philip is doing very well for his age. However, I disagree that most men of his age play golf etc...there are a few, yes, but most are not well enough to enjoy a sport or anything active.
So, it just shows how fit Philip is.
A question for you...I know before his marriage Philip became a British citizen as Lt. Philip Mountbatten, but when exactly did he renounce his Greek titles and rights of succession? Was it the same time?

Thanks
Denis

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Although Prince Philip did not need to become a citizen - he was born one according to the Sophia Naturalization act (but this act was forgotten about until Ernst August of Hannover pursued his case for citizenship in the 50s).According to Prince Philip's Secretary and to a reference by Arthur Gould Lee, Philip wrote to his cousin in late 1941, stating that he was renouncing his place in the succession. This was done in a private letter, and the response from the KIng (then in exile) that he would accept Philip's (who wanted to serve in the Royal Navy) decision - but grudgingly. There was never a public renunciation. Philip ceased to be styled as a Greek prince when he became a British national and adopted the surname Mountbatten.

Denis said...

Thanks for that.

So, Philip renounced his succession rights in 1941, but at that point did not cease to be a Prince of Greece.

And I understand he stopped using his Greek titles when he took British nationality and the name Mountbatten.

However, technically, did he (and does he still) remain a Prince of Greece?

Thanks

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Neither Prince Philip nor King Constantine consider Philip as a prince of Greece.

Denis said...

Thanks Marlene,

So it's just kind of taken to be the case once he became a naturalised British subject.

Kind of logical, I suppose!