Lisa Kerr, Principal of Gordonstoun, writes about how Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh was one of Gordonstoun’s first pupils, joining in 1934, the year the school was founded by German educationalist Kurt Hahn who had been forced to flee the Nazi regime.  In later years, Kurt Hahn wrote: “When Philip came to Gordonstoun his marked trait was his undefeatable spirit. He enjoyed life, his laughter was heard everywhere and created merriness around him.”

Prince Philip also flourished outside the classroom; he was made Captain of the 1^st XI hockey team and 1^st XI cricket team whilst also being an accomplished athlete, taking lead roles in school drama productions and becoming Guardian – or Head Boy – in his final term.  He was an active member of the ‘Watchers’, a forerunner to the Coastguards and one of the school’s first community services.

But it was his participation in the school’s extensive outdoor education programme which allowed Prince Philip to develop his great passion for sailing and being at sea. In seamanship Prince Philip’s instructor found him to be a “cheerful shipmate….thoroughly trustworthy and not afraid of dirty and arduous work.” Prince Philip subsequently sat the Special Entry Examination to join the Navy and, in support of this successful application, a report from Kurt Hahn stated that Prince Philip was a ‘born leader’ with ‘the greatest sense of service of all the boys in the school’.

When Philip had sons of his own he sent them to his old school and as a parent he was hugely supportive.  A former Housemaster recalls that he and the Queen would come to watch all the drama performances, sitting in specially reserved seats which simply had a paper handwritten sign saying ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’.

It is this love of young people and genuine engagement with their education and development that characterised Prince Philip’s later life.  This is most notably exemplified in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Gordonstoun’s founder, Kurt Hahn, had set up the Moray Badge as a way of extending his educational ethos to the local community and in his last year at Gordonstoun, in 1938, Prince Philip completed a series of challenges which led to him being awarded the highest level of badge.  In 1956 the Duke of Edinburgh agreed to give his name to this award so that it could be extended to all schoolchildren.  It is fitting that a young man who experienced so much adversity in his early life went on to champion an award which has helped millions of young people across the world to develop confidence and achieve their true potential.

A portrait of a handsome Prince Philip as a newly appointed naval officer hangs at Gordonstoun.  The Duke was asked to stand for the painting at short notice and had to make his white cravat out of a pillowcase!  He continues to watch over the young people who pass through this school, his influence changing their futures, and his cheeky sense of fun still on display.

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