PRINCE Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, made several memorable visits to York and North Yorkshire over his seven decades as the Queen's consort.

The first was in 1949, just two years after his wedding to Princess Elizabeth, and three before she became Queen. Our picture shows him – as tradition dictated – walking behind the Princess alongside the civic party through Stonegate with York Minster in the background.

His final visit was in April 2012 when he and Princess Beatrice accompanied the Queen on a visit to York as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK. During their time in the city they attended the Maundy Thursday service at York Minster.

Over the intervening years, Prince Philip visited the area both with the Queen and on his own.

Our archives bear witness to many of the encounters he had – including one very close shave with a T-Rex at the Yorkshire Museum in the millennium year. This fun picture was captured by one of our photographers at The Press, Garry Atkinson.

The prince also visited miners at Riccall in 1989 and was photographed wearing some unusual attire – instead of a designer suit or military uniform, he wore a donkey jacket to fit in with the pit workers.

Torrential rain disrupted plans in 1957 for The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to watch the Mystery Plays in Museum Gardens. Instead, they visited the cast at Tempest Anderson Hall.

Prince Philip had made a visit to York two years previously as well, in November 1955. There is a very solemn-looking picture of him in York Minster, where he had unveiled a Thanksgiving Memorial to commemorate the 18,000 officers and airmen of the Nos 4, 6 (Canadian) and 7 Groups, Bomber Command, Nos 16 and 18 Groups, Coastal command and the squadrons of Fighter Command who were killed or reported missing while operating from north-eastern airfields during the Second World War.

On a happier note, a royal wedding drew the Queen the Duke of Edinburgh back to York – via train – in June 1961 for the marriage at York Minster of Katharine Worsley and the Duke of Kent.

In 1965, Prince Philip returned to the city with The Queen to formally open Langwith College at the University of York.

The pair came back to York in grand style in 1971 to take part in the city’s 1900th anniversary (since the founding of Eboracum by the Romans). They arrived via the royal entrance to the city – through Micklegate Bar – in an open-top carriage.

The Duke of Edinburgh was back in 1975 to officially open the National Railway Museum.

In July 2000, the Queen came to York for the first time in 12 years. During that visit, Prince Philip looked in a relaxed mood as he took part in the Kohima Veterans memorial service at York Minster.

The duke returned in 2003 to witness the official opening of the Biocentre at York Science Park.

In June 2005, York hosted Royal Ascot – and also the Queen and Prince Philip, who paraded on Knavesmire in an open-top carriage.

Prince Philip also made several visits to the wider area, including to Knaresborough and the Waterways Museum at Goole, both in 1998, and to Eden Camp in 2002 to unveil a new exhibition dedicated to Second World War human torpedoes.

There were visits to the Yorkshire coast too, firstly to Whitby in April 2004 to meet the crew of the Endeavour, and to Scarborough in 2010, when the Queen opened the town's £3.5 million Open Air Theatre.

Reporters and photographers have recorded the duke's many visits over the years. Community Content Reporter Stephen Lewis recalls covering a walkabout at Duncombe Place where the duke helped a little boy who was squashed in the crowds.

Stephen said: "There were lots of security barriers lining Duncombe Place and huge crowds pressing against them. A young child was being squashed against the barrier, so Prince Philip went over and lifted the child over the barrier then squatted down to have a chat. It was really quite a moving thing to see."