Prince Philip broke major royal travel milestone during Arctic expedition

Prince Philip's 'remarkable personal legacy' praised by Mills

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Prince Philip travelled around the world throughout his life, both on royal duty reprinting the UK abroad, and for leisure purposes. However, one exciting expedition would lead him to achieve an incredible feat never before reached by a Royal Family member.

In 1956 the Prince boarded the newly commissioned HMY Britannia to travel the world.

For one year, he journeyed far and wide, sailing to regions including Australia and the Antarctic.

It was during this time he became the first Royal Family member to cross the Arctic Circle.

This huge achievement meant he was able to join “The Order of the Red Nose” which is specially dedicated to people who have successfully completed the journey.

While he took on this global mission, Queen Elizabeth II and their children remained at home in the UK.

The Duke of Edinburgh described his lengthy trip as a “diplomatic mission” and travelled forty thousand miles.

On this journey, he also got up close with some rare wildlife native to the Arctic.

In an image taken during the trip, the Queen’s husband can be seen with Adélie penguins at the Penguin Base near Adelaide Island, Antarctica.

DON’T MISS
Kate’s stark similarity with Prince Philip unveiled by insider [INSIGHT]
Prince Philip dead: Duke of Edinburgh dies aged 99 – latest updates [LIVE]
Queen’s emotional tribute to Philip as she said he was ‘her strength’ [COMMENT]

This photograph was shared by the Royal Family just last year on their Instagram account.

According to insiders, it was during the trip when travelling between New Zealand and Antarctica he developed a fascination with birdwatching.

He spent much of his time taking photographs of native seabirds between New Zealand and Antarctica.

Inspired by the trip, he went on to publish a book titled “Birds from Britannia” in 1962.

Prince Phillip went on to sail on the Royal Yacht many times throughout his life.

According to insiders, whenever he did so he took a rather hilarious item with him.

The revelation came from royal author Kitty Kelley in her 1997 book The Royals.

In the Queen’s passageway on the Royal Yacht Britannia, the author reports The Duke kept a picture of Lord Mountbatten and actor Cary Grant in Las Vegas.

The two men had posed with two showgirls swathed in feather boas, Kelley explained.

However, the positioning of the dancers made for quite the spectacle.

“In the picture, the two men turned their backs to the camera and so did the showgirls, whose rhinestoned-thonged backsides were without feathers,” wrote Kelley.

“Mountbatten found the picture of the bare-bottomed showgirls so amusing he had it blown up and hung in the Queen’s passageway on the royal yacht.”

Source: Read Full Article