Prince Philip's islander devotees inspired by shared respect for tradition

A mourner holds flowers and pictures of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip outside Buckingham Palace, after Prince Philip died at the age of 99, in London, Britain, April 9, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -The late Prince Philip maintained a respectful 50-year relationship with an indigenous group in the island nation of Vanuatu that venerated him based on their shared respect for tradition, in contrast to his history of racially insensitive remarks.

The veneration of Philip, who died on Friday at the age of 99, by people on Tanna Island in Vanuatu was one of the more curious aspects of the life of the former husband to the British Queen Elizabeth II.