Prince Philip 90 today

On Prince Philip's 90th birthday, we seem to be affectionately celebrating his famous verbal gaffes, so looking back to a report in The Daily Express of 2 April 1957, let's remind ourselves they're by no means a new trait!

The day before he had attended the London premiere of Yangtse Incident - The Story of HMS Amethyst - a fitting patron, given his sterling service with the Royal Navy during the Second World War on the destroyers HMS Wallace (during the Invasion of Sicily), and HMS Whelp in the Pacific....

    Last Night was blue moon night for Prince Philip.
    He was walking along a line of six petty officer survivors of H.M.S. Amethyst, at the premiere of the film Yangtse Incident in the foyer of the Plaza Theatre.
    Commander Kerans of the Amethyst was making the introductions. Prince Philip said a word here, and a word there.
    Then he stopped squarely in front of the third man, Chief Petty Officer Leonard Williams, who was senior engine room artificer in the Amethyst.
    "And what ship are you serving now?" asked Prince Philip.
    C.P.O. Williams looked surprised. He gulped slightly. "In the royal yacht, Sir. I've been in her three and a half years, Sir."
    Prince Philip looked shocked. Then confused. His face turned pink. He mumbled an apology, and went on down the line.
    A couple of seconds later he was back again in front of C.P.O. Williams, blushing hard.
    "I'm really very sorry; what a blunder I've made... the biggest blunder ever," said Prince Philip.
    C.P.O. Williams, 37, stocky, and reliable, who rose magnificently to the occasion when the Amethyst wanted everything she had from the engine room in the Yangtse, was up to this one too.
    He just smiled quietly and said: "That's all right, Sir - one can't remember everybody."

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