Prince Philip reaches milestone

Prince Philip has been the Queen's consort since 1952

Prince Philip has become Britain's longest serving royal consort.

He has overtaken the record of 57 years and 70 days set by Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.

The Duke of Edinburgh's duties as consort began in February 1952 when his wife Princess Elizabeth succeeded her father George VI as monarch. She was crowned the following year.

The 87-year-old Duke, who is known not to like a fuss, is with the Queen at Windsor Castle this weekend and has no planned official engagements.

Even after so many years of service to the country, Prince Philip shows little sign of slowing down. He undertook more than 350 engagements in 2008, and is patron or president of some 800 organisations.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE Born Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Married George III in 1761 Died before her husband, in 1818 Philip the record-setting consort

The royal couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2007, marking the occasion with a trip to Malta.

Providing an insight into Philip's personality, royal biographer Ingrid Stewart told BBC News he has an "inquiring mind".

"His mind is so together and he wants to know about everything. He has that kind of mind that has kept him going."

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Prince Phillip has been the Queen's constant companion

Philip was made the Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich by King George VI shortly before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth in 1947.

The Queen made Corfu-born Philip a Prince of the United Kingdom 10 years later.