Prince Philip was a natural leader who was not afraid of “dirty and arduous work” but struggled at times to control his temper, according to his final school report, which has been placed in the National Archives at Kew.
The report was written by Kurt Hahn, founder and headmaster of Gordonstoun in Moray, northern Scotland, for Philip’s 1939 application to join the Royal Navy. Philip was 17 at the time and was described in the document as “Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.”
Hahn praised Philip’s leadership qualities extensively, calling him a “first-class organiser” with a “natural power of command” who was “universally liked and respected.” He also noted the prince had “unusual courage and endurance” and hated subterfuge.
However, Hahn cautioned that Philip, when thwarted in his plans, was “still inclined to jump to angry conclusions” and was at times “too irritable.” The headmaster also noted the young royal performed at his best only under pressure.
Hahn, a Jewish-German experimental educator who opened Gordonstoun in 1934 after fleeing Nazi Germany, appointed Philip as the school’s cricket and hockey captain. Philip attended the school from age 13.
The report noted Philip had a particular aptitude for speaking German and a special interest in Greek military history. He received an A for overall intelligence and B-plus grades for the accuracy and reliability of his work, according to The Times. Hahn also described him as musical, in possession of good taste, and having an unusual grasp of causality in human affairs.
A separate certificate in the newly opened files showed Philip was a member of Gordonstoun’s Seamanship Guild and participated in school expeditions to the west coast of Scotland and Norway, where he was described as a “cheerful shipmate.”
Some records relating to Philip are expected to remain closed to the public until 2041.
