Prince Philip served in the Royal Navy from 1939 to 1952 and was involved in active service on several occasions. He was a sub-lieutenant aboard the battleship HMS Valiant during the Battle of Cape Matapan, being mentioned in dispatches, and was awarded the Greek War Cross for heroism.

As first lieutenant and second in command of HMS Wallace, he served on convoy escort duties on the east coast of Britain and in the invasion of Sicily, where he devised a plan to deceive enemy night bombers and save his vessel from attack. He then joined the destroyer HMS Whelp with the British Pacific Fleet and was in Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Imperial Japan.

The strong affinity he shared with his Armed Forces comrades, and his dedication to the honour of their service and sacrifice, shone through in his work.

He routinely attended Remembrance events including the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall the preceding evening.

He actively contributed to national D-Day, VE Day, and VJ Day commemorations. His good humour, wit, and record of service created warm and long-lasting impressions on the many veterans he met, who were invariably delighted by the encounter.