Prince Philip's life, which spanned almost the length of a century, covered a remarkable period in human history; one of profound change and development, of bitter conflict and hard-won peace, and of growing global instability.
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But across those decades, the Duke of Edinburgh, who has died aged 99, was a beacon of stability. Alongside his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip typified unwavering dedication to service, the Crown and the Commonwealth.
A family, as human as any other, has lost a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, while the Commonwealth has lost a leading figure of the age.
For many, the marriage between the Queen and Prince Philip has reflected the stability which the monarchy itself brings to Australia's political system.
Prince Philip once said the main lesson he and the Queen had learnt in their 73-year marriage was to be tolerant. It was less important in the good times, but absolutely vital in the rough periods.
Building a bedrock of tolerance is a worthy lesson, not just for marriage but in politics, leadership and service. Prince Philip's service to the Commonwealth shows the importance of building tolerance, respect and trust.
Although he was prone to making inappropriate and sometimes offensive remarks to those he met, his commitment to his duties did not waver.
Prince Philip's role was considerably more than opening buildings, unveiling plaques and cutting ribbons, even if he did complete more than 22,000 solo engagements in his lifetime.
He was long committed to raising awareness for environmental issues around the world, and in the 1970s served as the president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, supporting efforts to protect our country's rich and diverse landscapes.
More than 775,000 young Australians have completed the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which Prince Philip established in 1956 to recognise young people's self-improvement and community involvement.
Prince Philip's efforts did much to bring the monarchy into the 20th century, helping to craft a new relationship between monarch and subjects. It's an important legacy for an institution that needs to contend with the risk of irrelevance.
As the era Prince Philip belonged to comes to a close, Australia will continue to consider whether its future remains entwined with the monarchy.
Wherever Australia lands on the question of becoming a republic, it is important to recognise the contribution of Prince Philip, a man who found his place two steps behind the Queen.
