'It's a Royal Knockout' put his reputation on the canvas, writes INGRID SEWARD. ... trends now
It is now more than three decades since Prince Edward dramatically quit the Royal Marine training programme.
Back in 1987, it had been hoped the Queen’s youngest son might be something of a royal advertisement for our armed forces.
When it emerged that Edward’s father, Prince Philip, was Captain General of the Marins, the embarrassment intensified.
Edward’s reputation fared little better with his next move that same year.
The Duke of Edinburgh meets young people at a south east London youth centre
Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, wears the Order of the Thistle for the first time at the service of dedication for a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, RFA Stirling Castle, in Leith
Prince Edward and Sophie hug after her emotional speech praising him on his 60th birthday when she said 'I am so proud of the man he is. He is the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still is my best friend
Attempting to embark on a theatrical career the Prince created the disastrous TV special which became known as ‘It’s a Royal Knockout’, featuring members of the Royal Family in silly games compered by Stuart Hall.
Remembered even now as a national humiliation, the episode remains a sore point for Edward. The following years, including a stint with Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful group, brought little comfort and when he formed his own company Ardent, he was accused of only producing royal related films.
Yet what a turnaround we see today.
According to a recent YouGov poll, Edward - now a key figure in the Monarchy - has seen the greatest rise in popularity over time of any member of the Royal Family.
The Prince has been just been appointed Colonel of the Scots Guards, succeeding the 88-year-old Duke of Kent - an honour bestowed upon him by his elder brother, the King.
It is one of several.
Last year, on Edward’s 59th birthday, Charles made him the Duke of Edinburgh, the title their father had held. This year, Edward was awarded the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest royal honour.
It is all a fitting reward not just for plain hard work, but thorough-going decency.
Edward, who has just celebrated his 60th birthday, has seldom enjoyed much
