The Queen Makes Philip Head Of The Royal Navy

On his 90th birthday, the Queen has honoured her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, with the title of the Lord High Admiral of the Navy - a role that, until now, was hers.

The office of the Lord High Admiral dates from the 14th century and has been held by the Queen since 1964.

She has now handed it over to her husband as he celebrates his milestone age and in recognition of the fact that he gave up his promising naval career to devote his life to royal duty and support his wife in her role as Sovereign.

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Earlier, the Duke was given a pair of ear defenders by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People - now rebranded as Action on Hearing Loss - to mark the charity's 100th anniversary.

Accepting the gift, Prince Philip asked: "Can you get Radio 3 on this?"

Invited guests, including former MP Ann Widdecombe and historian David Starkey, broke into song with the Prince looking a little embarrassed at the Happy Birthday rendition.

He was also presented with a specially created birthday card to add to more than 2,000 others he has received during the past few days.

It was designed by 12 of the charity's service users who are deaf, or both blind and deaf, blind and attend the organisation's pioneering community workshop in Bath.

Close friends of Prince Philip - the longest-serving consort in British history - had said the "no-nonsense" Duke did not want a fuss as he became a nonagenarian.

"Prince Philip hates the spotlight being on him," explorer and friend David Hempleman-Adams told Sky News.

"I remember an occasion when the Queen was praising him for the success of his Duke of Edinburgh's Award. He hated it, was squirming in his seat and he just wanted it to be over."

There will be no feet up with a slice of birthday cake for the Duke as he hosts a reception for Action on Hearing Loss at Buckingham Palace.

This will be followed by a dinner for senior colonels ahead of Trooping the Colour on Saturday.

For 60 years, the Duke of Edinburgh has stood by the Queen, albeit always a step or two behind her.

Having married one of his loves, he was, with her Coronation, forced to give up his other - a career in the Navy.

But that has not equated to a lifetime in the Queen's shadow.

"Prince Philip is a man in his own right. He has his own interests, he knows his own mind, knows what he wants and he gets it," Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter explained.

"In public the Queen takes the lead, but in private they are a good foil for each other.

"The Queen knows she couldn't have done half the things she has without her husband Philip by her side."

The 90-year-old is patron of more than 800 organisations and charities, and relaxes behind the reins on the box seat of his carriage.

In his book, Thirty Years On And Off The Box Seat, the Duke wrote that he felt "fortunate" to have had a longer innings than most, while admitting his reactions were getting slower.

Prince Philip no longer competes in carriage-driving races, but continues to attend shows such as last month's Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Reaching 90 is unlikely to faze the man who believes: If I still can, then I will.