Happy birthday Prince Philip! The Duke of Edinburgh celebrates 93 years with a royal salute (and a garden party with the Queen and a glamorous Duchess of Cambridge)
- The Duke of Edinburgh is celebrating his 93rd birthday today and appeared at a garden party with the Queen
- His day began with a 41-gun Royal Salute in Hyde Park courtesy of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery
- Joining the Duke of Edinburgh at the party was the Duchess of Cambridge who was lovely in Alexander McQueen
- She spent the morning in Greenwich helping to launch Britain's America's Cup bid with Sir Ben Ainslie
- Also joining the Duke of Edinburgh on his birthday were the Princess Royal and Princess Eugenie
The Duke of Edinburgh's 93rd birthday got off to a rousing start this morning as the boom of ceremonial guns firing the Royal Salute shook locals near Hyde Park from their slumber.
Prince Philip, who born Prince of Greece and Denmark in Corfu on 10 June 1921, then celebrated in a little more style at a garden party hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
There the Duke was on sprightly form, exchanging quips with guests and being inundated with a flurry of birthday wishes as he toured the garden with the Queen, the Princess Royal, Princess Eugenie and the Duchess of Cambridge.
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Welcome to Buckingham Palace! The Duke of Edinburgh joined the Queen for a garden party on his 93rd birthday after being woken by a 41-Gun salute
Birthday celebrations: The Duke of Edinburgh was on fine form as he toured a garden party on his 93rd birthday and was joined by the Duchess of Cambridge
Work: The Duchess of Cambridge spent this morning at the launch of the UK bid for the America's Cup
Busy: Her attendance at the party came hot on the heels of her first solo engagement since Australia
Pretty: The Duchess was in her second ensemble of the day, an Alexander McQueen shift dress
Making an appearance: The Duchess of Cambridge chats to Princess Eugenie and the Princess Royal as they arrive for a garden party at Buckingham Palace
The Queen herself, fresh from a hugely successful state visit to France, was elegant in a powder blue Angela Kelly coat and a matching hat, as well as a trademark Launer handbag.
Equally chic was the Duchess of Cambridge who had changed out of the £150 Jaeger dress she wore for a morning engagement in Greenwich and into a golden-beige lace shift, last worn to a City of London Livery companies lunch in 2012, by one of her favourite designer names, Alexander McQueen.
But for once, it was the Duke of Edinburgh, dapper in a top hat and tails, who commanded the attention of the crowds as he moved through the throng shaking hands.
The Duke's time at the Queen's side has been marked by cheerful good humour and a flair for a quip, some in questionable taste.
Nevertheless, Prince Philip, who is descended from the royal line of Denmark and also holds the titles Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, has made a huge contribution to public life in the UK, not least in the charity sector.
Looking good: The Queen, fresh from her successful state visit to France, wore a beautiful powder blue Angela Kelly coat dress and a matching hat
Good form: Both the Queen and the Duke appeared to be in good spirits as they enjoyed the sultry June sunshine during the party in the gardens of Buckingham Palace
Celebrations: Prince Philip, who turns 93 today, was joined at the Buckingham Palace garden party by the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge
Chat: The Duchess of Cambridge chats to partygoers in the gardens of Buckingham Palace
Enjoying the day: The Duchess of Cambridge beams as she chats to Princess Anne at the party
Main man: The Duke of Edinburgh chats to guests outside Buckingham Palace on his birthday
Pretty: The Princess Royal chose an elegant cream coat and eau-de-nil dress while Princess Eugenie was pretty in a white dress and Nerida Fraiman hat
Day out: The Queen is introduced to a group of well wishers during the garden party at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
Ceremonial: The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, followed by Prince Andrew, make their way down to join their guests in the Buckingham Palace gardens
Excitement: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the Buckingham Palace Garden party to the strains of the national anthem
Currently patron of more than 800 charities, the Duke works closely with organisations focused on scientific and technological research, child protection, sport and conservation, and has dedicated himself to boosting British industry.
He also helped found the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, which encourages teenagers to participate in charity and community work, as well as getting them out into the countryside.
A military man, the Duke had a long and distinguished career as a naval officer, including a stint as First Lieutenant (second-in-command) on the destroyer, Wallace, and took part in the Sicily landings in July 1943.
Since giving up his naval career in 1951, the Duke has remained close to the military - including the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, which fired a 41 gun salute to mark his 93rd birthday.
As the guns sounded this morning, crowds gathered around the firing area as the troop paid tribute to the Duke.
Earlier, the soldiers, horses and guns of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery had ridden out from their forward mounting base in Wellington Barracks with 71 horses pulling six First World War-era Ordnance Quick Fire 13-pounder field guns behind them.
After positioning them close to the Joy of Life fountain, the guns sounded a Royal Salute while the Band of the Royal Artillery played behind them.
The Duchess also enjoyed a conversation with Princess Anne as they walked across the Palace grounds
Birthday salute: Gunners from the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery ride into Hyde Park as they prepare to fire a 41-gun salute in honour of Prince Phillip
Boom! The crashing sound of the guns drew curious crowds as they were fired in the middle of Hyde Park - and woke up the locals
Bashful: The tiny flower girl, pretty in her red and white striped dress, snuggled into her father's shoulder as the Duchess approached
Thank you! Little Bo Cornwell, daughter of Matt Cornwell, a sailor in Sir Ben Ainslie's crew, eventually finished the job and earned herself a smile
Gusty: Despite the clear skies, a stiff breeze played havoc with the Duchess' hair
Surprise! The Duchess gasps as her carefully coiffed hair is blasted by a breeze
Interesting plans: The Duchess looked on intently as she listened to Sir Ben Ainslie
Chivalrous: Olympic gold medal winning sailor Sir Ben Ainslie was on hand to greet the Duchess as she arrived at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich
HE'S GOT THE GIFT OF THE GAFFE! THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S FUNNIEST QUIPS
ON STATE VISITS
'Do you still throw spears at each other?' To Aboriginal leader William Brin during a visit to the Aboriginal Cultural Park in Queensland, 2002.
'You managed not to get eaten then?' To a British student who was trekking in Papua New Guinea, during an official visit in 1998.
ON EUROPE
'I would like to go to Russia very much — although the bastards murdered half my family.' In 1967, when asked if he would like to visit the Soviet Union.
'Damn fool question!' To a BBC journalist at a banquet at the Elysée Palace in Paris after she asked the Queen if she was enjoying her stay.
ON SCOTLAND
'How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to pass the test?' To a Scottish driving instructor in 1995.
ON CHINA
'Ghastly.' Prince Philip’s opinion of Beijing, during a tour of China in 1986.
'If it has got four legs and it is not a chair, if it has got two wings and it flies but is not an aeroplane, and if it swims and it is not a submarine, the Cantonese will eat it.' To a meeting of the World Wildlife Fund in 1986.
ON MULTI-CULTURAL BRITAIN
'So who’s on drugs here? He looks as if he’s on drugs.' To a 14-year-old member of a Bangladeshi youth club in 2002.
'Are you all one family?' Said to mixed-race dance troupe Diversity at the 2009 Royal Variety Performance.
ON WOMEN
'British women can’t cook.' Endearing himself to the Scottish Women’s Institute in 1961.
'Ah, so this is feminist corner then.' To a group of female Labour MPs at a Buckingham Palace drinks party in 2000.
'When a man opens the car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife.'
ON CELEBRITY
'What do you gargle with — pebbles?' To Tom Jones, after the Royal Variety Performance, 1969. He later added: 'It is very difficult at all to see how it is possible to become immensely valuable by singing what I think are the most hideous songs.'
'Oh, it’s you that owns that ghastly car, is it? We often see it when driving to Windsor Castle.' To near-neighbour Elton John after hearing that he had sold his Watford FC-themed Aston Martin in 2001.
ON FOOD AND DRINK
'Get me a beer. I don’t care what kind it is, just get me a beer!' On being offered fine Italian wines by Prime Minister Giuliano Amato at a dinner in Rome in 2000.
ON CLASS AND MONEY
'People think there’s a rigid class system here, but dukes have been known to marry chorus girls. Some have even married Americans.' In 2000.
'If you travel as much as we do, you appreciate the improvements in aircraft design of less noise and more comfort, provided you don’t travel in something called economy class, which sounds ghastly.' To the Aircraft Research Association in 2002.
'All money nowadays seems to be produced with a natural homing instinct for the Treasury.' Lamenting the rate of British tax in 1963.
ON ART AND FASHION
'You didn’t design your beard too well, did you? You really must try better with your beard.' To a young fashion designer at Buckingham Palace in 2009.
'It looks like the kind of thing my daughter would bring back from her school art lessons.' On seeing an exhibition of 'primitive' Ethiopian art in 1965.
ON THE PRESS
'You have mosquitos. I have the Press.' To the matron of a hospital in the Caribbean.
A venue fit for a princess! Sir Ben Ainslie leads the Duchess of Cambridge into the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich for the America's Cup reception
Looking good: The ever-thrifty Duchess chose a £150 cream and navy crepe shift dress by British high street brand Jaeger that is now reduced to just £99
Breezy: Despite the beautiful sunny weather in Greenwich, a stiff breeze blowing in off the Thames appeared to play havoc with the Duchess' glossy locks
Looking good: The Duchess, a keen sailor herself, plumped for a nautical look and even wore a delicate gold starfish chain in addition to her trademark drop earrings
All smiles: The Duchess of Cambridge seemed in good spirits as she toured the National Maritime Museum and met supporters of the America's Cup bid
Close inspection: The Duchess of Cambridge takes a closer look at the America's Cup or, as it's also known to sailing fans, 'the Auld Mug'
Nice to meet you: The Duchess of Cambridge chats to Eric Deardorff, CEO of jewellers Garrard which made Queen Victoria's trophy, and giggles with Sir Ben Ainslie
Big plans: Sir Ben hopes to have found a boat - and the crew to man it - capable of taking the oldest trophy in sporty by 2017
Prestigious: The Duchess was at the National Maritime Museum and was joined by Sir Ben Ainslie who is fronting the bid for an America's Cup team
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