OTD: 5th May

On 5th May 1953 the Duke of Edinburgh was awarded his pilot's "wings" during a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

He was presented with the award by Air Chief Marshall Sir William Dickson, Chief of Air Staff. The Duke's flying instructor, 29-year-old Flight-Lieutenant Caryl Ramsay Gordon was present at the ceremony.

Earlier in the day, he watched his royal pupil complete three solo circuits and landings, or "bumps" as they are called, at White Waltham airfield in Berkshire in order to qualify for his wings.

The Duke flew himself up to Scotland the following week – under supervision, but without the – she had made the journey the previous day to Balmoral for a pre-coronation holiday. She was crowned Queen Elizabeth II the following month.

The Duke qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1955 in a Westland Dragonfly and has since flown more different types of aircraft than most pilots.

In 1956, he founded the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14-25.

His son, the Duke of York, also went on to train as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot and flew in operations during the 1982 Falklands War – the first member of the Royal family to see active service since WW2.

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