Duke of Edinburgh's mementos at a Holyroodhouse exhibition

Prince Philip’s love of Scotland goes on display: Late royal’s personal mementos including his kilt and silver model of HMS Britannia appear in Holyroodhouse exhibition celebrating his legacy

Prince Philip – the nation’s longest serving consort – died aged 99 on April 9 at Windsor Castle
Photographs have offered a glimpse into special items set to go on display in a huge exhibition tomorrow
Items on display include the Duke of Edinburgh’s kilt as well as a silver model of HMS Britannia

The Duke of Edinburgh’s love of Scotland is being celebrated at a special display which opens its doors at Holyroodhouse tomorrow.

Photographs taken of the Prince Philip: A Celebration at the Queen’s official Scottish residence in Edinburgh reveal Highland ensemble worn regularly by him at Balmoral Castle and a silver model of HMY Britannia presented to The Queen, 95, and the Duke by Lloyd’s Register of Shipping in 1972.

Now opening at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, the display will chart significant events and achievements in Prince Philip’s – the nation’s longest serving consort who died aged 99 on April 9 – life through a total of more than 60 objects.

Many items have been chosen to highlight his close links with Scotland and Edinburgh, which began when he was 13 and a pupil at Gordonstoun school in Moray.

The Duke of Edinburgh ‘s love of Scotland is being celebrated at a special display which opens its doors at Holyroodhouse tomorrow (pictured, curator Sally Goodsir, views the 1952 Balmoral Tartan Kilt)

Royal Collection Trust creator Sally Goodsir makes adjustments to the display during a preview for Prince Philip: A Celebration, commemorating the life and work of the Duke of Edinburgh (pictured, the Midshipman’s log book from 1940)

The school placed a strong emphasis on physical activity, supporting the local community and helping students to achieve their full potential, and it was the school’s headmaster, Kurt Hahn, who would later suggest that Philip establish a programme for young people based on these principles.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is now the world’s leading youth achievement award and more than six million young people in the UK have participated since it was founded in 1956.

Examples of Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme badges, as presented by His Royal Highness, will be on display.

Exploring similar themes to those on show at Windsor, the exhibition at the Palace of Holyroodhouse will include a section charting Prince Philip’s early life and naval career.

Many items have been chosen to highlight his close links with Scotland and Edinburgh, which began when he was 13 and a pupil at Gordonstoun school in Moray (pictured, with the Queen in Balmoral during a visit to celebrate their Silver Wedding anniversary in 1972)

On display for the first time will be the silver-gilt casket presented to Prince Philip with the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh in 1949 (pictured)

The display will also bring together items from Prince Philip’s wedding to The Princess Elizabeth in 1947, including the wedding invitation, order of service and wedding breakfast menu.

On the occasion of their wedding, Prince Philip was granted the royal dukedom of Edinburgh, and the royal couple were known as TRH The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh until The Queen’s accession in 1952.

On display for the first time will be the silver-gilt casket presented to Prince Philip with the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh in 1949, as well as the casket presented with the Freedom of the City of Glasgow in 1955, made of oak from the roof of Glasgow Cathedral.

Philip went on to make frequent visits to Scotland throughout his life.

Paintings from Prince Philip’s collection, including works by Robin Philipson, James Orr, Barbara Balmer and Victoria Crowe, will be on display at the Palace, with many reflecting His Royal Highness’s interests in Scottish landscapes and wildlife

Meanwhile exhibition coordinator Hannah Belcher and curator Sally Goodsir hold the Midshipman’s log book from 1940

A bronze bust of the prince by the late Edinburgh-based sculptor Vincent Butler shows him wearing the academic robes of the Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, a position he held from 1953 until 2010.

The bust was presented to Philip during a visit to the university in 2002 to mark his 50th anniversary as Chancellor.

As well as carrying out official engagements, Prince Philip spent time in Scotland relaxing with his family.

The display will include a Highland ensemble worn regularly by him at Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s private residence in Aberdeenshire.

The display will include two of the architect Sir Hugh Casson’s original design sketches for Britainnia’s sun lounge and dining room, as well as a silver model of Britannia presented to The Queen and Prince Philip by Lloyd’s Register of Shipping in 1972 (pictured)

Pictured: Curator Sally Goodsir holds a silver gilt Freedom Casket presented by the City of Edinburgh in 1949 to the Duke

A member of staff holds a comparative book during HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Commemoration at Holyroodhouse

Made in 1952, the kilt is of Balmoral tartan, which was designed by Prince Albert in the 19th century and inspired by the local Deeside granite.

Prince Philip was a keen amateur artist, and his landscape of Loch Muick, which lies within the boundary of the Balmoral estate, will also be on display.

The prince was an enthusiastic collector of contemporary Scottish art and acquired a large number of works from the annual exhibitions of the Royal Scottish Academy.

Paintings from this collection, including works by Robin Philipson, James Orr, Barbara Balmer and Victoria Crowe, will be on display at the Palace, with many reflecting His Royal Highness’s interests in Scottish landscapes and wildlife.

The display will include a Highland ensemble worn regularly by him at Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s private residence in Aberdeenshire. Made in 1952, the kilt is of Balmoral tartan, which was designed by Prince Albert in the 19th century and inspired by the local Deeside granite (left and right)

Prince Philip’s copy of the programme from the Olympic Games will be on display, alongside two paintings by the artist Edward Seago, who accompanied The Prince on the tour and is believed to have been the first professional artist to paint views of the Antarctic

Also featured is HMY Britannia, also known as The Royal Yacht Britannia, which was built at Clydebank and launched by The Queen in 1953.

The Duke of Edinburgh took an active role in designing both the technical aspects of Britannia, drawing on his own practical naval experience, and the interiors of the Royal Apartments.

The display will include two of the architect Sir Hugh Casson’s original design sketches for the yacht’s sun lounge and dining room, as well as a silver model of Britannia presented to The Queen and Prince Philip by Lloyd’s Register of Shipping in 1972.

His Royal Highness travelled on HMY Britannia to undertake his first solo overseas tour in 1956-7, opening the Olympic Games in Melbourne before visiting the Antarctic.

Prince Philip was a keen amateur artist, and his landscape of Loch Muick, which lies within the boundary of the Balmoral estate, will also be on display (pictured, a selection of the Duke’s art)

The yacht is now a major tourist attraction at Leith.

Gifts presented to Prince Philip during State Visits, overseas tours and official engagements demonstrate the extent of his travel in support of The Queen.

Examples on display include a Moai sculpture presented on a visit to Easter Island in 1971 and a silver model of a windmill presented on the occasion of Prince Philip’s visit to Caledonian Flour Mills, Leith in 1955.

Prince Philip: A Celebration is part of a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse until 31 October 2021.

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