Yahoo News Prince Philip showed 'sense of humour' and was 'kind and firm' in school reports
Watch: Duke of Edinburgh: The Early Years
Prince Philip's teachers thought he was "kind and firm" and showed a "sense of humour" according to reports from his time at Gordonstoun in Scotland.
Philip, who died on 9 April at 99, was a pupil at the boarding school from 1934 until 1939, and came to love his time there.
He forged a friendship with Kurt Hahn, the founder of the school, and visited several times throughout his life.
Sharing tributes and memories of the duke while he was still a pupil, the school released a section of the last report Dr Hahn wrote for him.
It said Philip was "never failing where he has to consider other people’s rights or interests. He does not know what boredom is when intent on discharging his duties and has the making of a first-class organiser, who is both kind and firm.
"A sense of humour and a rapid understanding of human nature have proved a great help to him in tasks of leadership."
The report added: "As a leader of games he is at times too irritable."
Read more: 'I'm quite ready to die': Prince Philip told friend he 'didn't want to hang on until 100'
As well as the report, Dr Hahn wrote a letter about Philip after he announced his engagement to then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947, which looked back at his time as a pupil.
Dr Hahn said: "When Philip came to Gordonstoun his marked trait was his undefeatable spirit. He enjoyed life, his laughter was heard everywhere and created merriness around him...In work he showed lively intelligence.
"Once he had made a task his own he showed meticulous attention to detail and a pride in workmanship which was never content with mediocre results."
Philip had a difficult childhood, as his family had to flee Greece when he was 18 months old, as the king was forced to abdicate.
At the age of eight he moved to England to live with his grandmother and uncle, and attended prep school in Cheam, where he once received an award for his French.
In 1933 he spent two terms at Salem School in south Germany which was also founded by Dr Hahn.
Read more: Prince Harry shares tribute to Prince Philip: 'He was a master of the barbecue and legend of banter'
But Dr Hahn was imprisoned for "the decadent corruption of German youth". He managed to flee to the UK where he set up Gordonstoun in 1934 – with Philip as one of the first pupils.
The young prince excelled at sport and was captain of both the hockey and the cricket teams. He became guardian, or head boy, in his last year.
Dr Hahn also spotted Philip's talent for languages and said he had an "unusual grasp of cause and effect in human affairs".
His time at the school allowed him to develop his love for sailing, and he went on to begin a successful naval career thanks to the training.
Philip's sailing instructor said he was a "cheerful shipmate and very conscientious in carrying out both major and minor duties. He is thoroughly trustworthy and not afraid of dirty and arduous work".
And Dr Hahn said he was a "born leader" with "the greatest sense of service of all the boys in the school".
Prince Philip also took part in the school's Moray Badge, which became a precursor to the Duke of Edinburgh award.
Philip was awarded the Senior Silver Moray Badge in his last term at school.
He went onto help Dr Hahn develop the programme to which he would give his name - and millions of people around the world have now learnt skills through the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
Philip sent three of his own children to the institution, though his son Prince Charles did not regard it with the same favour. Charles once dubbed it 'Colditz in kilts'.
Princess Anne was not able to go herself, but sent her children, Peter and Zara, as the school was by then accepting both girls and boys.
She is now warden of the school.
The Duke of Edinburgh made trips back to Gordonstoun when he could, and was there most recently in 2014, where he queued with the pupils for lunch instead of having it brought to him.
Lisa Kerr, principal of Gordonstoun said: "Students and staff at Gordonstoun remember HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as someone who made students feel at ease in his presence and who shared their love of Gordonstoun.
"He had an immensely strong character, combined with a unique sense of fun, infectious optimism and strong sense of duty."
Philip's funeral is due to be held on Saturday at Windsor Castle. The guest list will be limited to just 30 people because of the current COVID guidelines.
Watch: The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Diana’s Warm Relationship
