By Tony Grew - 8th June 2011
The House of Commons has moved a humble address congratulating the Duke of Edinburgh on his 90th birthday.
The prime minister led the tributes to the Queen's consort - the couple married in 1947.
David Cameron told the House:
"This week we celebrate the 90th birthday of a remarkable man who has given years of service to our country.
"Someone who has defended his nation in time of war.
"A man who has stood alongside Her Majesty the Queen for more than six decades.
"A man who has given his time, effort and passion to many great causes up and down the country, across the Commonwealth and indeed around the world.
"I refer, of course, to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh."
Cameron said that the prince spent 14 years on active service in the Royal Navy before taking up royal duties, and has inspired young people across the world with the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
He also remarked that the prince is known and loved for his sense of humour.
"I would like to go on for a great deal longer but I am reminded of His Royal Highness’s remark about sermons that overrun.
"It is not just sage advice for clergy in the pulpit but, I think, probably for us in this place, too. As the Duke put it, 'The mind cannot absorb what the backside cannot endure.'"
Labour leader Ed Miliband joined the prime minister's tribute.
"The Duke of Edinburgh has been a constant companion to Her Majesty throughout her reign and he has shown a moving love, support and devotion to Her Majesty that has been unfailing," he said.
"He has also made an enormous contribution to public life here in Britain and right across the Commonwealth in his own right."
Miliband also told the House of one of his favourite Prince Philip quotes.
"Following the coronation in 1953, he turned to Her Majesty and said: 'Where did you get that hat?'
"Humour is a great part of British life and we thank the Duke for his unique contribution."
Paul Flynn (Lab, Newport West) said the "supreme achievement of the Duke of Edinburgh is that he is working at the age of 90".
He said he is a republican and questioned why the House moves a humble address.
"Are members of the royal family superior beings to the rest of us?" he asked.
"Are we inferior beings to them?
"We live in an egalitarian time when we recognise the universality of the human condition, in which royals and commoners share the same strengths and frailty.
"In the House, when we speak of the royals p not just the monarch, but all the family, without any limit - we are denied the chance of making any derogatory comment."
Chris Bryant (Lab, Rhonnda) summed up the mood with another anecdote about Price Philip.
Parmjit Dhanda, when he was the Member for Gloucester, was invited in 2001, as I think was the current prime minister and others elected that year - it was our 10th anniversary yesterday - to Buckingham palace, and the Duke of Edinburgh went up to Parmjit and said, 'So, what did you do before you got this job?'
"Parmjit said, 'I worked in a trade union.'
"The Duke immediately replied, 'Bugger all, then.'
"Parmjit, somewhat offended and thinking that he would retaliate with force, asked, 'Well, what did you do before you got this job?', to which the Duke replied, 'Fought in the second world war.'
"So, notwithstanding the remarks of my honourable friend the member for Newport West, I think that there are occasions when a little humility from this House towards His Royal Highness is entirely appropriate."
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