PRINCE PHILIP, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

Writing about Britain's Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will not be necessary if it is not for the fact that he is celebrating his 90th birthday this month (born June 10, 1921).

He has been the consort of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain for many years. In fact, the longest one in British history; and he should be congratulated for his loyalty to her personally and to the British people in general.

He also happens to be a great Naval Officer and a statesman.

However, many people will remember him for his off-the-cuff remarks, some of which can only be looked on as being very sassy sometimes, jovial or bordering on the ridiculous at other times; but also some are pure "gems" of embarrassment, as far as the British monarchy is concerned.

The following are a few good examples or his royal but risque remarks or outbursts,

"On a visit to China in 1986, he warned a group of British students: "If you stay here much longer, you'll all be slitty-eyed." And he told a British student who had trekked in Papua New Guinea in 1998: "You managed not to get eaten, then?". (Yahoo News).

Yet, he has played his role as the Queen's husband and companion so well, he is very much appreciated for being so successful at that special and royal preoccupation by all and sundry around the world.

When a BBC interviewer asked him about it recently, his answer was so characteristic of him, it got radio listeners and television viewers hilariously laughing.

"I couldn't care less. Who cares what I think about it? I mean it's ridiculous," he said, adding that he had figured out how to perform his role by "trial and error". (Yahoo News).

He could not be more right, for on their honeymoon, or thereabouts, there was an occasion, when he and the then Princess Elizabeth were to board a ship; and it happened that the ship's ladder started to move away from the dock, and yet the Prince was urging his new bride to get on board anyway.

Many remember even now, that the Princess (Elizabeth) had to call his (Prince Philip's) attention to the moving ship's ladder. For just about a minute or so, there was a slight panic by onlookers, but he came to himself in the nick of time and corrected the situation; and they were able to avoid a mishap. It was one of those tense moments, which some might describe as "a very close call".

Nevertheless, that incident has been many years past; and Prince Philip has been fabulous in doing his duty to protect Queen Elizabeth II always. He has received a new royal title as a gift from her on his 90th birthday. It (title) is The High Lord Admiral.

Congratulations; and again, many happy returns on your birthday, Prince Philip.