Prince Charles has shared a touching childhood picture with royal fans to thank them after they sent notes of sympathy to Clarence House following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.
The Prince of Wales, 72, has been sending cards to royal fans who have expressed their condolences following Prince Philip’s death on April 9th at the age of 99.
One fan shared on Instagram how they’d received the card, which included an erstwhile photo of father-and-son on a boating trip.
The photograph was accompanied by a printed letter written by Prince Charles, thanking the person for their letter of good wishes.
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The Prince of Wales, 72, has been sending cards to royal fans who have expressed their condolences to Clarence House following Prince Philips’ death on April 9th. Charles shared this picture of them on a motorboat, dating back to his childhood, in the notes sent out
A typed note accompanied the picture of Prince Charles and Prince Philip, in which the Prince of Wales said letters of sympathy had been of ‘great comfort to him’
Royal fans on social media said the sweet photo was ‘nostalgic’ while some noted it was appropriate Charles would share a picture of him and Philip on a boat, since they both served in the Royal Navy.
The letter accompanying the picture read: ‘The Prince of Wales thanks you so much for your very kind message of sympathy.
‘His Royal Highness has been enormously touched by the many generous messages that have been received in recent days; they have provided great comfort at this very sad time,’ it went on.
‘The Prince of Wales sends you his warmest thanks and best wishes,’ he added.
In the picture, a young Charles is sat next to his father as they speed along in a motorboat. Prince Philip, wearing a jumper, is sat at the helm, confidently looking ahead, while his eldest son looks at him smiling.
This photographed father-and-son moment captured Philip and Charles’ shared interest for sailing and water sports. In 1971, aged 23, Charles followed into his father and grandfather’s footsteps and decided to serve in the Royal Navy.
Prince Charles said he was ‘touched’ by the letters of condolences sent by royal fans after his father’s death (pictured at Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17th)
Royal fans noted it was appropriate of Charles to share a picture of him and his father on a boat, because they both served in the navy
He enrolled in a six-week course at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth that year, before serving on the guided-missile destroyer HMS Norfolk until 1972.
The Duke of Edinburgh completed a term as a cadet at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth when he was 17. From 1972 to 1973, Charles served on the frigate HMS Minerva, and in 1974, he served on HMS Jupiter.
In 1974, he joined the 845 Naval Air Squadron, which operated from HMS Hermes, and for his last ten months of active service in the Royal Navy in 1976, he took command of the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington.
Meanwhile, Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy aged 18, and fought for England during the second World War. In January 1940, he was appointed as a midshipman and spent four months on HMS Ramillies, protecting Australian convoys in the Indian Ocean, before complete shorter posts.
Prince Philip sat next to Prince Charles during a visit to Dorset in October 2017, before the Duke of Edinburgh retired from his royal duties
In February 1941, he became a sub-lieutenant and illustrated himself in several naval operations, which led him to becoming a lieutenant just a year and a half later in July 1942.
In October 1942, he became on the youngest members of the Royal Navy to be promoted to First Lieutenant during his post on the HMS Wallace.
After his wedding to the Queen on 20 November 1947, from 1949, Prince Philip was stationed in Malta, where he served as first lieutenant of the destroyer HMS Chequers. In July 1950, he was promoted to lieutenant commander and given command of the frigate Magpie.
Prince Philip and Prince Charles in their uniforms, showcasing heir military orders and medals, during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012
His active naval career ended in July 1951, but in June 1952, Philip was promoted to commander.
Royal fans loved the intimate pictures capturing father-and-son sharing a special moment.
‘That’s beautiful, and that photo of father and son in a boat, which is so appropriate,’ one said.
‘This is just a dear image. He’s got Philip all to himself,’ another said.
‘Such a beautiful, nostalgic photo for PC,’ another wrote.