Queen Elizabeth II marks Prince Philip’s 100th birthday with new rose
Queen honors late husband Queen Elizabeth II receives a Duke of Edinburgh rose, given to her by Keith Weed, President of the Royal Horticultural Society, at Windsor Castle. The flower commemorated the 100th birthday of her late husband, Prince Philip. (Steve Parsons/Pool via AP)
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Queen Elizabeth II marked the eve of what would have been her late husband’s 100th birthday with a newly bred rose named for him.
The British monarch, 95, watched as the Duke of Edinburgh Rose, a deep, pink flower dappled with white lines, was planted in the Windsor Castle gardens last week to commemorate Prince Philip’s 100th birthday, People reported.
The prince, who died April 9, would have turned 100 on Thursday. He married then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947. Philip, who was born on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10, 1921, married Elizabeth five years before she ascended the throne after the death of her father, King George VI.
They were married 73 years, making the prince Britain’s longest-serving consort, The Associated Press reported.
Philip retired from royal duties in 2017, according to the AP.
The rose was presented to Elizabeth last week by Keith Weed, the president of the Royal Horticultural Society, People reported. Upon receiving the flower, the monarch said it “looked lovely.” Philip played a key role in the layout of the garden, restructuring the flowerbeds and commissioning a bronze lotus fountain, the magazine reported.
“Whilst being very poignant, it was also a delight to give Her Majesty The Queen, patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, the Duke of Edinburgh Rose to mark what would have been HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s 100th birthday and to remember his remarkable life,” Weed said in a statement. “The Duke’s devotion to raising public awareness of the importance of conserving the natural world leaves a lasting legacy.”
For every rose sold, Harkness Roses will donate $3.50 to a fund that helps youths participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, a program set up by Philip in 1956, the AP reported.
Prince Philip through the years 20th March 1947: The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) (Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, prior to his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, saluting as he resumes his attendance at the Royal Naval Officers School at Kingsmoor, Hawthorn, England, July 31st 1947. (Photo by PNA Rota/Keystone/Getty Images) (PNA Rota/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years Philip Mountbatten, prior to his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, batting at the nets during cricket practice while in the Royal Navy, July 31st 1947. (Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images) (Douglas Miller/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years Prince Philip at the Petty Officers Training Centre at Corsham Wilts, 1st August 1947. (Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Douglas Miller/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years 19th November 1947: Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, later HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years May 1948: Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh waving through the open roof of a car. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) (Central Press/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years 20th October 1949: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in naval uniform on a boat in Malta. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years 10th August 1951: Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, sitting at his desk at Clarence House. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) (Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years The Duke of Edinburgh with a cup presented to him as captain of the winning team of a polo match at Amberly, 2nd June 1952. Original Publication Picture Post - 5899 - One Royal Week : The Duke Off Duty : Polo At Cowdray - pub. 1952 (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) (Central Press/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years Philip Mountbatten (b1921) duke of Edinburgh, wearing his uniform of Field Marshal of the British Army, 1953. (Photo by Apic/Getty Images) (Rue des Archives)
Prince Philip through the years The Duke of Edinburgh returns to the pavilion after scoring 18 runs in a celebrity match against the Duke of Norfolk at Arundel Castle, 22nd August 1953. The match is in aid of the National Playing Fields Association. (Photo by Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Reg Speller/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years LONDON - DECEMBER 1958: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh poses for a portrait at home in Buckingham Palace in December 1958 in London, England. (Photo by Donald McKague/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years Prince Philip at helm of his yawl, 'Bloodhound', during Cowes Regatta. (Photo by George Silk/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images) (George Silk/The LIFE Picture Collection via )
Prince Philip through the years The Duke of Edinburgh at work on one of his hobbies, painting, 19th June 1969. A scene from the television documentary 'Royal Family'. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Prince Philip through the years WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 20: Prince Philip In The Green Room At Windsor Castle (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images) (Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)
Prince Philip through the years LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 04: Prince Philip In Naval Uniform With Medals At St. Paul's Cathedral On The Day Of The Service To Mark The Golden Jubilee - The 50th Anniversary Of The Monarch's Reign. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images) (Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)
Prince Philip through the years LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 10: Prince Philip In Military Uniform As Admiral Of The Fleet In The Royal Navy For A Service Of Remembrance For The Iraq War. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images) (Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)
Prince Philip through the years UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 20: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in the Green Room at home in Windsor Castle (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images) (Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)
Prince Philip through the years LONDON ? AUGUST 15: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh watches the Gurka band march past as World War II veterans gather to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VJ Day which marked the end of the war, at the Imperial War Museum on August 15, 2005 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Britain Prince Philip Obit FILE - In this Thursday June, 16, 2011 file photo Britain's Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip arrive by horse drawn carriage in the parade ring on the third day, traditionally known as Ladies Day, of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting at Ascot, England. Buckingham Palace says Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has died aged 99. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File) (Alastair Grant)
Prince Philip through the years ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attends day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2014 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse) (Chris Jackson)