He certainly won’t be jousting in a suit of armor, but Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Philip has been made a knight at the grand age of 93.
TheAustralian PrimeMinister Tony Abbott used the country's national day to announce theprestigious honor. Mr. Abbot mentioned the Duke of Edinburgh was being celebrated for his contribution to Australia over the course of his wife’s soon to be 63-yearreign. (She was crowned on February 6, 1952.)
Philip made his way to Australia for the first time during World War II and last visited the country when he was 90 in 2011. The Queen's husband has been there 23 times, seven of which were solo.
The Prime Minister said in a statement that the Queen had accepted his recommendation thatthe Prince along with Scotland-born defense force chief Angus Houston "be awardedAustralia's highest honor as Knights of the Order of Australia".
He added,"Prince Philip's long life of service and dedication should be honoredby Australia. For three quarters of a century, Prince Philip has served theCrown, and the wider Commonwealth. He has served Australia with distinction and is patron of over 800 organizations."
Opposition politicians described the decision as out-of-stepwith the times because Prince Philip was not Australian and that he had a lotof honors already but the Prime Minister stood by his decision.