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By Science Museum Group on

Remembering HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh saw many scientific advancements throughout his lifetime. With great sadness, the Science Museum Group reflects on his warm relationship with our museums.

As consort to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh showed a great appreciation for science and technology, and was a great supporter of the work of the Science Museum Group.

In November 1966, The Duke of Edinburgh joined Queen Elizabeth II and President Muhammad Ayyub Khan of Pakistan, to open the Engineers’ Day exhibition at the museum. Organised by the Ministry of Technology, the exhibition aimed to encourage more young people to become engineers.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the opening of the Engineer’s Day exhibition at the Science Museum, London, 18 November 1966

The Duke of Edinburgh joined the Queen in 1969 to open the Science Museum Library (the precursor to our Dana Research Centre and Library) and then again in June 1988 to open the East Hall Gallery. Now known as the Energy Hall, this gallery traces the remarkable story of steam and how it shaped the world we live in today.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II at the opening of the East Hall Gallery. June 7th 1988

In May 1972, the Duke of Edinburgh was joined by Councillor Mrs Walter Gumbel, Mayor of Kensington, Margaret Thatcher, Secretary of State for Education and Science, Sir David Follett, Director, Science Museum and members of the Research Council for the opening of the Search exhibition.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh addresses guests at the opening of the Search exhibition at the Science Museum in May 1972.

In 1975, the Duke of Edinburgh opened the National Railway Museum in York, which became the first national museum outside of London.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the opening of the National Railway Museum. Image credits: York Press; Science Museum Group

In recent years, The Duke of Edinburgh also joined Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to the Science Museum in 2014, an event that created headlines around the world as Her Majesty sent her first tweet at the official opening of the Information Age gallery.

The Duke of Edinburgh joined Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to the Science Museum in 2014 for the opening of the Information Age gallery

In recognition of his commitment to science and technology, the Duke of Edinburgh was elected a Fellow of the Science Museum in 2014. This prestigious accolade recognises some of the scientists and individuals who have changed our world through academic research, design, technology and philanthropy.

Most recently, the Duke of Edinburgh who is a direct descendant of the Tsarina Alexandra, was featured in the Science Museum’s 2018 exhibition, The Last Tsar: Blood and Revolution, in a section about the advancements in DNA fingerprint technology, for having provided a blood sample for the identification of the remains of the Romanov royal family.

https://www.royal.uk/