Philip aims to beat Royal retreat at 90

Prince Philip took the salute as the Household Division beat retreat on Horse Guards Parade in central London, while the Duchess of Cambridge dazzled as she and Prince William joined a host of stars at a charity gala dinner.

It was the couple’s first public engagement since their wedding.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who admitted in a TV interview that he was “nearing his sell-by date” and wished to take things a little easier, saw the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the United States Army Europe band and chorus in the pageant of military music, precision drill and colour that originated in the early days of chivalry.

Well-wishers have sent almost 2,000 cards to mark the Duke of Edinburgh’s birthday today. The correspondence reached Buckingham Palace in all shapes and sizes and from around the world in time for the milestone.

Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were guests of honour at a £10,000-a-head black-tie banquet staged not far away in the grounds of Kensington Palace.

The couple attended on behalf of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry – an organisation which raises sustainable funds for charitable grants. The event was the 10th anniversary gala dinner of the charity Absolute Return for Kids (Ark), co-founded in 2002 by financier Arpad Busson, who hosted the evening.

The Duchess looked stunning in a shimmering dusky pink cap- sleeve gown by designer Jenny Packham.

The Duke of Edinburgh told Fiona Bruce in an interview for the BBC last night to mark his birthday: “I reckon I’ve done my bit, I want to enjoy myself for a bit now. With less responsibility, less rushing about, less preparation, less trying to think of something to say.”