Faculty Saddened by Passing of HRH Prince Phillip

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine is deeply saddened by the death of His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

During a lifetime of service, he was instrumental to many positive changes in the life of the nation. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is just one example of his many contributions, outstanding for the lasting impact it has made to the health and wellbeing of young people. The scheme has played a crucial role in encouraging young people to become interested in personal development, community service and physical activity.

The Duke of Edinburgh played an often unrecognised role in the development of the specialty of Sport and Exercise Medicine. Prince Phillip had become an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Sports Medicine in London, which reflected his interest in sport, science, and the promotion of health and medicine. At a dinner he hosted at St James’s Palace in 1995 he challenged the Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges – Dame Fiona Caldicott – to lead the development of Sport and Exercise Medicine. Backed by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Academy developed a working party which recommended the establishment of an Intercollegiate Academic Board of Sport and Exercise Medicine that led, ultimately, to the development of this Faculty. The duke’s understanding of the importance of physical activity and sport in developing personal resilience and health was critical in allowing this specialty to develop.

We are honoured that his daughter, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, remains the Patron of this Faculty.

Our sincere condolences go to Her Majesty the Queen, the Princess Royal and the rest of the Royal Family at this sad time.

Dr John Etherington CBE FFSEM (UK) FRCP
President of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (UK)