Australia knights Prince Philip, sparking national outrage

Britain's Prince Philip wears a hearing aid as he attends a reunion reception for members of the Victoria and George Cross Association, in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace in London October 28, 2014. REUTERS/John Stillwell/pool

PERTH (Reuters) - Conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott has awarded Australia's highest honour to Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, sparking a barrage of criticism across the country on its national day of celebration.

Prince Philip was made a Knight of the Order of Australia, awarded as part of the country's honours system announced on Australia Day, with Abbott saying it paid "tribute to an extraordinary life of service".