'Modest' Prince Philip Praised In Sermon

The Royal Family have marked the Duke of Edinburgh's 90th birthday with a special service of thanksgiving.

The service was held Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel just a few days after the Duke reached the personal milestone.

There were more than 750 guests including the newlywed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry .

The Dean of Windsor, the Rt Rev David Conner, who gave the sermon, made the congregation laugh when he told them them Prince Philip "doesn't like to the praised".

But he insisted praise was nonetheless due for the royal who had been the Queen's tireless supporter for over six decades and associated with or patron of more than 800 charities.

The Queen and Philip were joined by their four children - the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex - together with the couple's older grandchildren and extended family.

The congregation also included representatives from the worlds of sailing, polo, carriage driving and shooting, foreign royals, members of the Mountbatten family, the Duke's godchildren and former and present Royal Household staff.

Following a canapes reception in Windsor Castle's St George's Hall and Grand Reception Room, the royals sat down for a private family lunch.

Philip, who turned 90 on Friday, had been intent on keeping his birthday weekend low key.

He treated Friday as a normal working day, hosting a Palace reception for the 100th anniversary of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People - now rebranded as Action On Hearing Loss.

Even the service in the chapel took place away from the spotlight with no media permitted inside nor members of the public allowed in the Lower Ward of the castle.

One aide said: "That's the way he likes it. It's low key. It's very typical of him."

On his birthday, Philip was made Lord High Admiral of the Royal Navy by the Queen - a title she had held herself for 37 years.

The aide added: "It was perhaps a touching acknowledgement of the sacrifices he has made for his wife. Philip gave up his promising naval career to devote his life to royal duty and support the Queen in her role as sovereign."

:: Prince Harry braved torrential rain on Sunday evening to take on the Duke of Cambridge in a charity polo tournament in Berkshire in aid of disadvantaged African children.

The Sentebale Polo Cup was due to be held in Dubai but unrest across the Middle East prompted Harry to postpone the annual event - staged to raise funds for his charity Sentebale.