Prince Philip's very gentle hobby - and the stunning gifts he made for the late Queen

Prince Philip had a lesser-known hobby that allowed him to make stunning gifts for his wife of 73 years, the late Queen Elizabeth II, throughout their long marriage

In public, Prince Philip was known for his somewhat gruff, no-nonsense approach to dealing with things, and wasn't one to mince his words.

A former officer and commander in the Royal Navy, the Duke of Edinburgh was known to be athletic and physically strong, and one of his best-known hobbies - carriage driving - that he enjoyed in his later years, was in line with this perception of him. However, behind closed doors, Philip also had a more gentle side when it came to his interests, and one of his long-term hobbies even allowed him to create stunning presents for his wife, the late Queen Elizabeth to mark special occasions: designing jewellery.

Per British Vogue, Philip had a brooch made for the late Queen in the early days of their relationship in the shape of his naval badge - a sentimental nod to their shared times together. He also had an engagement ring for the late Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, designed from a tiara that belonged to his mother, and on the day of their wedding presented her with a stunning bracelet he had designed made from the remaining tiara diamonds - throughout her life the late Queen was regularly seen pictured wearing it, and more recently Princess Kate is reported to have been spotted borrowing it.

For their fifth wedding anniversary, Philip designed one of the most touching pieces for the late monarch, and it was filled with symbolism of their shared ties, and individual lives. "The bracelet features Philip's Naval badge in diamonds surrounded by two sapphire crosses, perhaps representing the Greek flag," British Vogue explains.

"A ruby cross, perhaps representing the flag of England, is flanked by two roses of York symbolising the Queen’s first title as Princess Elizabeth of York. All of these symbols are connected by gold links in the shape of interlocking Es and Ps,"

This was one way that Philip let out his softer side, and showed his deep love for his wife, about whom he reportedly wrote in a letter to the Queen Mother "Lilibet is the only 'thing' in the world which is absolutely real to me, and my ambition is to weld the two of us into a new combined existence that will not only be able to withstand the shocks directed at us, but will also have a positive existence for the good."

Despite his sporty interests, Philip was deeply committed to the arts and even founded prizes supporting designers during his tenure as Prince Consort. But this wasn't his only artistic hobby, he was also a committed painter and famously painted an intimate portrait of his wife eating breakfast - many of his artworks are held by the Royal Collection Trust.

Do you have a story to tell? Email: emma.mackenzie@reachplc.com