The NOC is grateful for the support and contribution that His Royal Highness gave to the Centre throughout his lifetime. We send our condolences to the Royal Family.
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is saddened by the passing of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip had a strong interest in science and engineering and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1951 and was Senior Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering from its inception in 1976.
His Royal Highness, Prince Philip first visited the NOC’s precursor institution, The Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, on 20 May 1982. Reflecting on one of the Duke of Edinburgh’s visits to the Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, Professor Richard Lampitt, research scientist said: “His Royal Highness was very knowledgeable and interested in deep sea biology, asking pertinent and penetrating questions.”
25 years ago, on 17 April 1996, Prince Phillip opened The Southampton Oceanography Centre and was later welcomed by Centre Director, Professor Ed Hill to the annual Summer Soirée of The Royal Academy of Engineering, hosted by the University of Southampton at the Centre on 27 June 2005. On this occasion, the Duke of Edinburgh officially renamed the Centre as the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, nine years after performing the opening ceremony at the waterfront building.
Ed Hill, CEO of The National Oceanography Centre, commented: “We are deeply saddened by the death of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh. The NOC is grateful for the support and contribution that His Royal Highness gave to the Centre throughout his lifetime. We send our condolences to the Royal Family.”