He was one of the most famous royals in the world, but Prince Philip’s most important role was being a dad

From day dot, Philip adored his little children, who each brought so much colour and character to the royal firm.

Indeed, as we watched the children grow before our very eyes, so too did Philip and Elizabeth. Just like any other parent.

The young royal family was the ultimate image of family wholesomeness as the then Princess Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip manoeuvred the world of parenting.

When third child Andrew came into the mix, Philip’s plate became a little fuller… and fuller again when little Edward arrived.

“My dear Papa was a very special person who I think, above all else, would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him,” Charles said of his dad in the wake of his passing.

“You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready. My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate,” Princess Anne shared in a beautiful deeply personal statement in the wake of her father’s death.

The heir to the throne Charles also explained in a pre-recorded interview released after Philip’s death: “His energy was astonishing in supporting my mama, and doing it in such a long time. What he’s done amounts to an astonishing achievement, I think.”

He was there for his children in testing moments – such as his youngest son Edward’s first official royal appearance in his own right. “I think it was always a challenging role to take but he’s done it with the most extraordinary flair and the most extraordinary tact and diplomacy,” Edward said of his dad’s impressive decades-long profile of work as a royal.

Charles has said that his father “didn’t suffer fools gladly” and would want to be remembered “as an individual in his own right”.

Charles added: “It can’t have been easy and life was uncertain and everyone had to rely on other people to help – and presumably he had to fall back on himself quite a lot.”

Anne’s awe of her father is pertinently clear: “His appreciation of how he could help the Queen always seemed to be present in terms of supporting her. She was very young when she became Queen and it needed to be a double act for a lot of that time in order to allow her to take on that role,” she said in the pre-recorded interview.

And throughout it all, Philip’s infectious, cheeky nature always drew a smile – no matter the circumstance. Charles could most certainly vouch for that.

A dearly beloved husband and father, Prince Philip and his enduring legacy will never be forgotten.