Pictured: Prince Philip joking with crew of Royal Yacht Britannia on Christmas Day 1956

Smiling broadly, his pose relaxed, the Duke of Edinburgh jokes with the crew of the Royal Yacht Britannia. 

This never-before-seen photograph was taken on Christmas Day 1956, thousands of miles from home in the southern seas as the Queen prepared to make her annual festive broadcast to the nation back at Sandringham.

The informal camaraderie of the Duke’s ship is clear to see. Decks are strewn with colourful streamers and a balloon is decorated with the message ‘A Happy Christmas, “Dukie” ’.

And the image, which features in a new ITV documentary about the late Duke, is a poignant throwback to the last time the Queen spent Christmas alone. 

The Duke had called the Queen by radio from Britannia, and in her speech she said: ‘Of all the voices we have heard this afternoon none has given my children and myself greater joy than that of my husband.’

Sixty-five years later, as the Queen prepares for her first Christmas since his death, she will no doubt miss that voice even more.

Sixty-five years later, as the Queen (pictured at Sandringham during Christmas 1956) prepares for her first Christmas since his death, she will no doubt miss that voice even more

Speaking to ITV, the Duke’s friend Martin Palmer, who co-founded the charity Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) with him, said: ‘When they heard the news in 1952 that the King had died, I think his world collapsed. His natural place of service, the Navy, was no longer possible. 

‘It was a huge shock; he was a bit lost. In 1956 when he was asked – and joyfully accepted the invitation – to travel… that’s when he found himself again.’

The ITV documentary is described as a bid to put the Duke’s voice and thoughts front and centre, using 80 years of rare footage and material.

Philip: Prince, Husband, Father is on ITV at 9pm on December 21.