Prince Philip: Duke's freedom of Cardiff remembered

In 1954, the Duke of Edinburgh became the 48th person to receive the freedom of Cardiff.

He told the assembled dignitaries: "It is always comforting to be told that one is a person of distinction but it's even more comforting to know it's by act of parliament."

The room erupted in laughter.

Wearing the dress uniform of the Welsh Guards, he went on: "Here in Wales there's a strange, wild beauty which makes every visit a delight."

In 1954, the Duke of Edinburgh became the 48th person to receive the Freedom of Cardiff

• Who he was, what he did and why he mattered

• Prince Philip: A life in pictures

• An extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life

And he paid tribute to the "very genuine kindness and hospitality of the people of Wales to myself and, indeed, to all visitors".

• Who he was, what he did and why he mattered

• Prince Philip: A life in pictures

• An extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life

• What are the plans for his funeral?

• How does the Royal Family work?

The freedom of Cardiff is the highest honour the city can bestow on an individual and was first awarded in 1886.

In 1954, the Queen was the only woman to have received the honour.

The duke attended the ceremony wearing the dress uniform of the Welsh Guards

To date, it has been bestowed on 62 people, including Nelson Mandela, Princess Diana, Dame Shirley Bassey and 10 organisations.

Unlike freeman honours awarded in cities such as London, the Cardiff title is purely honorary without any special privileges.

In London, being given the freedom of the city historically bestowed the right to herd sheep over London bridge, to go about the city with a drawn sword and, if convicted of a capital offence, to be hanged with a silken rope.