Duke of Edinburgh's many visits to Cornwall - from the 1950s to 2014
Take a look back at some of Prince Philip's trips to the Duchy and Devon, including the opening of the Eden Project
Last updated 10th Apr 2021
After the death of Prince Philip, we take a look back at his many visits to Cornwall and Devon through the decades.
The Duke of Edinburgh passed away on Friday morning (9th April 2021), at the age of 99.
Buckingham Palace announced the sad news:"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle".
The Queen and Duke's love story began in the Westcountry, when Prince Philip's was at Navy college in Dartmouth and the Royal couple have had a long-standing connection with the region ever since.
We take a look at some of the highlights from the Duke of Edinburgh's visits to Cornwall, from the 1950s to 2014.
The Duke of Edinburgh in Cornwall:
Prince Philip's many visits to Cornwall began in the 1950s when he and the Queen met with Duchy tenant farmers in 1956. The Duke returned a year later to retrace the footsteps of tin miners by going underground at Geevor Tin Mine.
Further trips followed in the 1960s, including sailing into Fowey on the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1962 before visiting author Daphne du Maurier and her husband at their Menabilly estate. This was followed by an official visit to Truro Cathedral four years later.
The Duke and Queen also visited the Isles of Scilly in the late 1960s, when they were pictured driving a young Princess Anne and Prince Charles around the islands.
The Silver Jubilee tour of 1977 was one of the next big visits that many people in Cornwall will never forget.
The Queen and her husband went on a walkabout in Truro and were greeted by the Bishop of Truro on the steps of Truro Cathedral. That was followed by trips to St Austell, St Columb, Bodmin and Falmouth, where the Queen was reportedly told she might receive a Cornish pasty!
Thousands descended on the town for the Royal visit, which ended with a fireworks display and the couple sailing away on the Royal Yacht Britannia.
After several more low-key visits over the years, the Royal couple returned to Cornwall for the Golden Jubilee tour in 2002. The Queen visited Trelissick Gardens while the Duke visited the then Falmouth College of Art, followed by a a joint lunch to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Diocese of Truro.
Here are some of the highlights from the Duke of Edinburgh's most recent visits to Cornwall...
2011: Isles of Scilly:
The Queen and Prince Philip arrived in Penzance on the Royal train, before taking the short helicopter trip to the Isles of Scilly. Their first stop was the new Five Islands School on St Mary's.
2013: St Ives and St Michael's Mount
After arriving at St Erth station on the Diamond Jubilee train, the Royal couple visited RNLI crews in St Ives and unveiled a plaque and signed the visitors' book at the lifeboat station. They also visited the Tate Gallery.
They then went on to visit St Michael's Mount off Marazion as guests of the St Aubyn family, where they created footprints on the Mount.
2014: Newquay, Padstow and Tregothnan
The Duke of Edinburgh's last visit to Cornwall was in 2014, when he visited Newquay Gig Club and the National Lobster Hatchery.
Prince Philip also visited the Tregothnan Estate during his solo trip, where he planted a tea bush and an oak tree.
Do you remember Prince Philip's visits to Cornwall? You can send us your photos, videos and memories by emailing CornwallNews@bauermedia.co.uk
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