THE DUKE of Edinburgh is recovering after his car was flipped on its side following a crash on the Sandringham estae.

Prince Philip has been described by The Queen as her ‘strength and stay’ in a role which has seen him accompany his wife on many Royal duties both at home and abroad during the Monarch’s 65 years on the throne.

Here we take a look back with our nostalgia writer and researcher, Odele Ayres, at the Royal couple’s visits to Bradford and District.

In October 1954 thousands lined the streets of the city when the then new Queen and Prince Philip embarked on a full fanfare tour of the city. During their visit, believed to be the first time Royalty had been entertained to luncheon as guests of the city, the Queen and Prince Philip were greeted by cheering crowds when they popped into Park Avenue cricket club in an open-top Land Rover.

While it was the Queen’s first visit to the city, the Duke of Edinburgh had visited five years earlier, in 1949, when he opened the Bradford Grammar School and was presented with a shawl for the then baby Prince Charles.

Prince Philip returned to the independent school in Frizinghall, during the regional tour to mark the Queen’s Jubilee year, to unveil a plaque and commemorate the opening of a new swimming pool, Sixth Form Centre and Music School.

During a walkabout he chatted with some of the school’s youngest pupils who gathered with their parents to wave him off on the next stage of his tour.

On February 7 1969, a day when it had been snowing heavily, Prince Philip personally greeted 30 or more guests and trade union representatives in the banqueting hall of the Town Hall, Bradford.

From there, he travelled to Spen Valley where he spent an hour visiting the former textile mill, Thomas Burnley and Sons Ltd in Gomersal.

The mill was founded in 1752 and was apparently one of the world’s most modern combing, dyeing and spinning factories.

During the same year the Duke of Edinburgh returned to the city for a star-studded event held at the city’s Alhambra Theatre to raise funds for the York Minster Appeal.

Among the show’s performers were Freddie Davies, Julie Felix, Ron Moody and compere Dave Allen. Apparently singer, Matt Monro, had to cancel at the last minute when his flight was hit by fog.

Prince Philip met the performers and chatted to the Mavis Ascott Dancers before taking his seat in a flower-decked private box to watch the show which he evidently enjoyed - according to the T&A report at that time which told how he “was among the liveliest members of the audience” and “laughed and clapped readily.”

Easter 1997 prompted another Royal visit when the Queen officially opened Centenary Square as part of the celebrations to commemorate Bradford’s 100th anniversary as a city.

Her other duties on that occasion included handing out Maundy Money during a special service at Bradford Cathedral and opening Bradford City Football Club’s £1.5m Midland Road stand at Valley Parade.

A decade later the Queen and Prince Philip returned to the city to visit Centenary Square where the Queen was briefed about the regeneration projects being undertaken in the city centre.

Her Majesty also received a posy from the young daughter of murdered Bradford policewoman, Sharon Beshenivsky.

They also visited visited Trafalgar House, the then new headquarters of Bradford South police division, and a new Hindu temple in Leeds Road.

On July 20 2012 Saltaire was transformed into a sea of red, white and blue when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited the World Heritage Site as part of their Diamond Jubilee tour of the nation.

The Royal couple were greeted by large crowds in Victoria Road as they arrived for lunch at the technology company Pace plc.

Many will have fond memories of their visits to the city and district.

It is certainly evident from the photos capturing these memorable occasions that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh received a very warm welcome from Bradfordians who, will no doubt, be wishing the Duke of Edinburgh a happy and healthy retirement.