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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Five ways the royals are keeping Prince Philip's memory alive one year on from his death

Prince Philip' s death almost exactly a year ago proved to be an end of an era for the Royal Family.

He had been at the Queen's side for 73 years and served for most of them as her consort - assisting her in her duties.

But he also had a remarkable life of his own and was a Royal Navy hero thanks to his brave actions in the Second World War and set up the pioneering Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

He was also a patron, president and member of more than 700 organisations and had a passion for the natural world, engineering and technology.

Prince Philip, who died almost a year ago (Getty Images)

All of these aspects of his life were celebrated at his memorial service last month at Westminster Abbey, which was attended by nearly all members of his family.

And as it approaches the first anniversary of his death aged 99, it seems there are several members of his family who are keen to keep his memory and legacy alive...

Prince William's causes

Prince William with his grandparents the Queen and Prince Philip (Getty Images)

Although Prince Philip was involved in many organisations and charities over his long life, he maintained a particular interest in topics such as the environment and technology.

And this approach to his work is reportedly what his grandson Prince William wants to emulate - especially when he becomes Prince of Wales, which is not a given but very likely, and eventually King.

According to the Mail on Sunday, William's blueprint for doing things going forward is "much the same way" as the Duke of Edinburgh's approach.

Like his grandfather, William is very much interested in the environment and conservation and last year held his inaugural Earthshot Prize awards.

Prince Charles' environmental work

Prince Charles with his late father Prince Philip (UK Press via Getty Images)

When it came to his views and work on conservation and preserving the environment, Philip was often seen as a pioneer.

After his death, Sir David Attenborough praised his knowledge when it came to conservation and the environment.

He told the BBC : "He was right there at the beginning at a time when conservation didn't mean much to many people.

"But he, back in the end of the 50s and 60s, when in fact the world conservation had hardly opened up... he made it a real issue, an important issue, not something to be brushed aside, not something that was a pastime but something that was centrally important."

And one family member carrying on his deep interest in conservation is his son Prince Charles.

Charles has often been vocal about the urgent need to save the planet from issues such as climate change and the Queen remarked last year: "It is a source of great pride to me that the leading role my husband played in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet, lives on through the work of our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William. I could not be more proud of them."

Lady Louise Windsor's carriage driving

Lady Louise Windsor, who has taken up the sport of carriage driving (PA)

Although his charity work and royal duties kept him busy, Philip also carved out time for one of his favourite hobbies - carriage driving.

He was synonymous with carriage driving and reportedly loved nothing more than to go haring through the countryside at high speed, whip in hand, in a horse-drawn wheeled carriage.

And it seems that love of carriage driving has now been passed on to his youngest granddaughter 18-year-old Lady Louise Windsor.

In September, Louise made her public speaking debut in a series of interviews for a documentary honouring her late grandfather.

And in the interviews, she talked about how she has taken up Philip's favourite sport of carriage driving and said: "The Duke of Edinburgh has been so involved in my driving, but it's slightly scary as he invented the sport pretty much.

"But it's incredible to have learned first-hand from him and it definitely made us closer I think."

Camilla and Sophie Wessex's military affiliations

Sophie Wessex with her father-in-law Prince Philip (Getty Images)

Throughout his life, Philip had a close relationship with the military - and his last public engagement before his retirement in 2017 involved the Royal Marines.

He had military affiliations to many regiments and organisations and was Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles as well as Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers.

And now these special roles have been passed on to his daughters-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex.

Camilla took over as Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles before Philip's death in 2020 - and at his memorial service last week wore her forest green regimental coat dress.

Meanwhile, Sophie was announced as the new Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers last week.

Prince Edward's Duke of Edinburgh's award role

One of Philip's lasting legacies is the Duke of Edinburgh's award, which helps young people to develop skills for life and work.

It began in 1956 and millions of young people around the world have taken part in the programme.

Before his death, Philip's youngest son Prince Edward started taking on more responsibility relating to the award.

And according to the Royal Family website, he is now "taken over many responsibilities from his father".

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