Prince Philip: Anne addresses Duke's remarks in classic interview

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Tributes have poured in for the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away yesterday, aged 99. The tragic news of his death, after 73 years married to Queen Elizabeth II, was confirmed by Buckingham Palace. Gun salutes will take place at midday to show respect for the longest-serving royal consort in British history. 

The prince’s incredible service to the UK dates back to 1952, following the death of King George VI, and he touched the hearts of millions in the seven decades that followed.

One incredible memory was shared by author Paul Brandus on Twitter, and later retweeted by Andrew Neil to his followers.

Mr Brandus wrote: “A story about Prince Philip, who died today at 99.

“The weekend of the Kennedy assassination, he flew to Washington for the funeral. 

“At the White House on Sunday, November 24, 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy was looking for John Jr. and opened the door to his playroom. 

“There she found the Prince sprawled on the floor, playing and laughing with the murdered president’s son.”

The 35th President of the US was shot dead in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, by Lee Harvey Oswald.

Acting along, the gunman assassinated the 46-year-old as his motorcade made its way down Dealey Plaza.

The US was left distraught and rocked by the news, as was the Kennedy family.

But when John Jr, days from his third birthday, asked “where’s daddy,” the duke is said to have stepped in to comfort the youngster.

Mr Brandus added: “John had said he ‘didn’t have anyone to play with,’ and Her Majesty’s husband decided that he would entertain the boy.”

But that was not the end of the pair’s special bond and Mr Brandus shared an incredible picture taken two years later.

He explained: “In May 1965, the Government gave an acre of land to the US for a memorial to the murdered president at Runnymede.

“It was the site, 750 years earlier, of King John signing the Magna Carta.

“Here, John Jr. holds hands with his Mom and the prince.”

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The Twitter thread has now got more than 14,000 likes and 5,000 retweets, including from former BBC presenter Mr Neil.

Royal Navy ships at sea, including HMS Diamond and HMS Montrose, will join the salute in honour of Philip, who served as a naval officer during World War 2 and held the office of Lord High Admiral.

At the age of 18, the prince joined the Royal Navy as a cadet and he would go on to see active service in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.

During the six-year-long conflict, the prince and Her Majesty are said to have exchanged love letters, but they waited until after the war to get engaged.

Philip had intended to continue his career in the navy, but King George VI died five years into their marriage, and his wife became queen at the age of 25.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s children shared their reflections on their father’s life and service to the UK as part of a BBC special programme last night.

The Prince of Wales told the BBC: “His energy was astonishing in supporting my mama, and doing it for such a long time.”

“He’s always been there as that rock in the Queen’s life,” said the Earl of Wessex.

Prince Charles told the programme: “I think he’ll probably want to be remembered as an individual in his own right.”

Reflecting on his father’s difficult upbringing after his family was exiled, he added: “It can’t have been easy and life was uncertain and everyone had to rely on other people to help – and presumably he had to fall back on himself.”

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