The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Borough Connection

Learn more about His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s involvement with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

The Duke of Edinburgh's early life

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh spent some of his early life near Saint-Cloud just outside Paris. He was educated in France, Germany, Scotland and England.

Whilst attending Cheam School, Surrey he spent many school holidays visiting his uncle in Holyport, Maidenhead. He attended the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in 1939.

His engagement to Princess Elizabeth was announced in July 1947. They were married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey.

Life in the Royal Borough

Windsor Castle has been a home to The Royal Family throughout Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. They have enjoyed spending time in Windsor and over the years His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has contributed greatly to life in the Royal Borough.

The Duke of Edinburgh was appointed Ranger of Windsor Great Park by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. His Royal Highness was the longest serving Ranger, acting as steward for one of the nation’s most iconic landscapes for nearly 70 years. During this time, he became affectionately known to the estate workers as simply ‘The Duke’. Read more on Windsor Great Park's website.

In 1955 he formed and became President of The Household Brigade Polo Club, using Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park. He founded The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in 1956 and opened its Headquarters, on Madeira Walk, Windsor in 1991.

He began carriage driving professionally in 1972 and was often seen driving around Windsor Great Park well into his 90s.

He encouraged the twinning of Saint-Cloud and Maidenhead in 1957. A message from His Royal Highness was read aloud during the ceremony:

“I lived near Saint-Cloud for nearly 10 years and for about five years I lived at Holyport, near Maidenhead. I am sure you will appreciate why I take such a personal interest in the ceremony today. I wish you many years of fruitful association between the two towns.”

He opened Windsor Leisure Centre with Queen Elizabeth II on 7 April 1987. He returned to open an extension to the swimming pool on 7 April 1997.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Leisure Centre © Windsor & Royal Borough Museum

He met members of the Windsor Facelift project on 27 June 1975, including local campaigner, Doris Mellor. Discover more about Doris Mellor here.

The Duke of Edinburgh meets member of the Windsor Facelift Project © Windsor & Royal Borough Museum

He became President of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1991 and was integral to the show’s development. He even helped to introduce a carriage driving competition into the show.

He joined Queen Elizabeth II on a tour around Windsor to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday on 12 April 2016. They stopped to meet residents who were born in the same year as The Queen at Windsor Guildhall before driving back to Windsor Castle in an open-top Range Rover.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh touring Windsor
Her Majesty The Queen's 90th Birthday © Windsor & Royal Borough Museum

He was made a Freeman of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead in April 1995. The ceremony took place at the Windsor Guildhall, home to Windsor & Royal Borough Museum.

He was patron to many charities within the Royal Borough including:
•   Berkshire Golf Club, Ascot
•   Reading Flying Club, Maidenhead
•   Royal Ascot Ex-Servicemen’s Club
•   Sunningdale Golf Club
•   Windsor Hockey Club
•   West London Aero Services, White Waltham
•   Windsor and Eton Football Club
•   Windsor Forest Bowmen
•   Windsor Slough & Eton Athletic Club
•   Windsor Rugby Football Club

Find out more about The Duke's charities and patronages here.

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Born 10 June 1921, Corfu, Greece. Died: 9 April 2021, Windsor Castle.

Thanks to our colleagues at Windsor & Royal Borough Museum for researching and sharing this content.

You can view and download it as a factsheet here.