In an article in the university newspaper, Varsity, the Duke of Edinburgh is accused of racism and bigotry and is described as representing "the worst possible image as figurehead".

After incidents of alleged racism, including remarks on a factory tour this summer that defective electronics must have been "put in by an Indian", the students want to remove the Duke as the ceremonial head of the university.

The article says that recruiting black and Asian students to the university is made more difficult when its figurehead is perceived as being prejudiced.

The editor of the magazine is now to put a motion to the university's student union asking whether the Duke should be replaced. But even if students vote for his dismissal, the Duke's position as chancellor is determined by the university senate and not the student body.

"Obnoxious and anachronistic"

The uncompromising article in Varsity, which describes the Duke as "obnoxious and anachronistic", condemns him for representing privilege over ability and elitism over equal opportunities.

"He has not earned his position through merit or hard work: it has landed in his lap due to his marriage to the monarch.

"He is a living, breathing symbol of the 'old boy' network still deeply entrenched in Cambridge as we enter the 21st century."

The remark made about Indians, which prompted an apology from Buckingham Palace, was not an isolated incident but the latest in a series of offensive comments, the article claims.

"In the past he has gravely insulted the Scots, Hungarians, Chinese, Indians, homosexuals, the deaf, parents of the victims of the Dunblane massacre, the poor, people in therapy and countless other groups.

"He did not attend Cambridge or indeed any university and he is well known to scorn academic work."

Rather than Prince Philip, the magazine proposes Richard Branson or Emma Thompson as more meritocratic candidates.