Australia Post has released a new stamp commemorating the life and service of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Married to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 70 years, Prince Philip was the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch. He died peacefully at Windsor Castle in 2021, at the age of 99.
Prince Philip visited Australia many times, firstly as a midshipman on the HMS Ramillies in 1940. His first official visit was with the Queen in 1954 and his last in 2011. He retired from official duties in 2017, having attended an average of 350 official engagements a year.
Born on the Greek Island of Corfu on 10 June 1921, he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth in 1947, renouncing his rights to the Greek and Danish throne and becoming a naturalised British subject.
He married Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and became Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich and a Knight of the Garter. Prince Philip left the Navy when Elizabeth became Queen and was given the status of Prince of the United Kingdom. In 2011, she bestowed on
him the title of Lord High Admiral, which made him the titular head of the Royal Navy.
Australia Post Group Philatelic Manager, Michel Zsolt said Prince Philip’s legacy included many decades of charitable work, such as serving as international president of the WWF, and founding The Duke of Edinburgh Awards supporting youth achievement around the world.
“Prince Philip’s more than 60 years of official public life and significant philanthropy were remarkable, and through that charitable work and his visits to Australia over the decades he touched the lives of many Australians,” Mr Zsolt said.
The $1.10 stamp features the work of Australian-born artist Ralph Heimans, the 2017 portrait depicting Prince Philip in the Grand Corridor at Windsor Castle dressed formally and wearing the sash of the Order of the Elephant, Denmark’s highest honour.
The stamp created in Prince Philip’s honour comes as the Queen marks her Platinum Jubilee – 70 years on the throne since being crowned on 2 June 1953.
The Prince Philip stamp and the stamps commemorating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee are on sale now at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online while stocks last. For more information visit auspost.com.au/stamps or australiapostcollectables.com.au
