Sound idea for Philip at 90... a pair of earmuffs

Philip accepted the gift from a leading charity for the deaf and in his outspoken style thanked the well-wishers, quipping: “Can you get Radio 3 on this?”

The presentation was made by the RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People) – rebranded as Action on Hearing Loss – at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark the charity’s 100th anniversary.

During the event the invited guests, who included trustees, sponsors, staff, volunteers and famous supporters – such as former MP Ann Widdecombe and historian David Starkey – broke into a spontaneous rendition of the song Happy Birthday.

The Duke, who became a nonagenarian yesterday, smiled and looked a little embarrassed and raised his hand in the air in an effort to quieten the group who had gathered in the palace’s picture gallery.

He was also presented with a specially created birthday card to add to more than 2,000 others he has received. It was designed by 12 of the charity’s service users who are deaf, or have the double disability of being deaf and blind and attend the organisation’s pioneering community workshop in Bath.

The card was covered with many small, colourful birthday celebration designs, mainly featuring cakes covered in candles.

The Duke has been the patron the charity since 1958 and his interest stems from his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, who was born deaf.