the Island at least nine times.

His last visit was in March, 1991, during a tour which took in Canada and the Bahamas as part of his involvement with a number of international organisations.

The tour put him in touch with the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, the Outward Bound Trust, the British Commonwealth Ex-Services League and the English Speaking Union.

This week's visit will also see Prince Philip make presentations to Duke of Edinburgh Award winners. That ceremony takes place at Government House tomorrow.

Prince Philip was born in Corfu on June 10, 1921. His father Prince Andrew of Greece was of Danish descent, the younger son of King George I of the Hellenes.

However, when Prince Philip renounced his Royal title in 1947 and became a British subject, it was under his mother's name, Mountbatten.

The Prince arrived in Britain at an early age to be educated at a prepatory school, Cheam, and then Gordonstoun, in Scotland.

In May, 1939, he left school to become a naval cadet.

During his career at sea he served on the battleship HMS Ramilles , cruisers HMS Kent and HMS Shropshire , the battleship HMS Valiant , the destroyers HMS Wallace , HMS Whelp and HMS Chequers and the frigate HMS Magpie .

In 1943 he was on board HMS Wallace as it covered the Canadian beachhead during the Sicily landings.

Later he was a First Lieutenant on HMS Whelp and was present at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.

Since the accession to the Throne of Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh has maintained a hectic schedule of Royal functions.

He holds several important Service appointments and acts as Patron or President of a large number of organisations of national significance.

In particular he interests himself in scientific and technological research and development, in the encouragement of sport, the welfare of young people and in conservation and the state of the environment.

His previous visits to Bermuda were in 1953, 1959, 1962, twice in 1964, 1975 and 1989, 1990 and 1991.

FLYING VISIT -- The Duke of Edinburgh, pictured with Capt. William Madeiros ADC during an unnanounced visit to Bermuda in March, 1990. He spent one night at Government House before flying onto New York.

AWARDS PRESENTATION -- Prince Philip was last on the Island in 1991 when he presented Duke of Edinburgh gold awards to 11 local achievers and helped celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in Bermuda. Above, he's seen inspecting three award participants dressed in their project uniforms -- a sailor, a beekeeper and a cyclist. The inspection took place at Government House.