Royal Watch News

Prince Philip's low-key birthday

Jun 11, 2009, 11:02 GMT

Britain's Prince Philip turned 88 yesterday (10.06.09), but appeared loathe to celebrate the occasion.

The husband of Queen Elizabeth spent his special day completing a series of official engagements and seemed mortified when he was handed a birthday card during one of them.

While meeting a group of foreign journalists at London's Buckingham Palace to promote tourism, the prince was amazed to be given the token by Canadian Janie Robinson.

He immediately thanked her, but failed to open the envelope and then began furtively glancing around to find an aide to deposit it with.

Janie eventually took it back, saying: "I'll hold it for you".

She explained: "I knew it was his birthday and I know he's an artist and painter so I bought a card with a painting by one of Canada's famous 'Group of Seven' artists - AJ Casson.

"The card has a message which says, 'Thank you for sharing this special day with us. As an artist I thought you would enjoy this card.' "

It was not the only moment of embarrassment for the prince.

Another journalist performed a lavish, low curtsey before him, then queried: "Did you not like my curtsey?"

Looking sheepish, he jokingly flicked his hand at her.

Later in the day, The Duke of Edinburgh met young people who had achieved the gold standard in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, and commemorated the end of the Special Boat Service Association's fund raising appeal.

Philip's birthday was celebrated with a number of special events during the day.

The Scots Guard band played the song 'Happy Birthday' while the Changing of the Guard ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace, while a 41-gun salute took place in London's Hyde Park at midday.

At 1pm, a 61-gun salute was fired at the Tower of London.