News and Events
In Memory of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
National News
It is with deep respect and admiration that we honor the life and legacy of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, President of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth. Prince Philip served as the President of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth from 1952 to 2011, during which time the English-Speaking Union of the United States had 14 Chairmen serve the joint purpose and pursuits of the organization.
Prince Philip toasting the Queen at the Waldorf Astoria, New York, next to Lewis Douglas (Chairman of ESU from 1955-1959), and Arthur H. Dean (Chairman of ESU from 1959-1961)
Prince Philip was a dedicated leader of the organization. He is credited with founding the Public Speaking Competition, a program which hosts participants from the English-Speaking Union of the United States at the Commonwealth headquarters, Dartmouth House, each year, in what is now the largest such competition for schools in England and Wales.
During Prince Philip's tenure as President, the English-Speaking Union of the United States was fortunate to honor and host him, as well as Her Majesty The Queen on various occasions. Among notable events, ESU hosted Prince Philip and her Majesty the Queen for luncheon events held at the Waldorf Astoria in both 1957 and 1976.
His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (left), Her Majesty The Queen (center), and Lewis Douglas, ESU Chairman from 1951-1959 (right) pictured at the ESU hosted luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria in 1957.
In 1960, Prince Philip gave a rousing speech on the importance of the English-Speaking Union's mission at a dinner event hosted by the ESU in New York. Footage of his speech can be watched in its entirety at the link below.
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| Video still of Prince Philip addressing the ESU in New York City in 1960 |
We thank Prince Philip for his unwavering leadership, and we are honored for his lifelong support of the English-Speaking Union.More recently, in 2008, Members of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth and of the United States gathered in Edinburgh to host the World Members Conference and the International Council Meeting. Prince Philip was the Guest of Honor on the opening day, and he graciously spent his time meeting ESU members from across the world.
Evelyn Wrench (left), ESU Founder, with HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
