Occasionally a prominent person's life traverses an epoch so long that few can remember a time before they existed. Prince Philip, the now deceased Duke of Edinburgh and consort to the longest-serving British monarch, is one such man. He led a remarkable and long life (falling short of his 100th birthday by just 62 days), with much of it the focus of intense public interest.

While in recent years he had stepped back from royal duties, his death has touched off numerous recollections of his long association with Australia. From his first visit in 1940, as a junior British naval officer, he drew attention to what was to become his trademark dry wit and directness of speech and manner. He returned on many occasions, mostly in more formal surrounds, but never managed to completely temper his willingness to say what was on his mind, no matter the consequence.

While his off-the-cuff remarks could be disconcerting - or downright offensive, as when he asked an Indigenous leader, "Do you still throw spears at each other? - his unconventional ways endeared him to many.

And yet, from the day he exchanged wedding vows with the future British Queen in 1947, he also managed to carry out with dignity and steadiness his principal role as supportive husband to one of the most powerful women in the world. It was a double act that endured for more than seven decades.

During the past few days many have also come forward to speak of his character, not just his service. Former US president Barack Obama eloquently reminisced of his first visit with the royal family "as two Americans unaccustomed to palaces and pomp". In a touching tribute, Mr Obama disclosed that "the Queen and Prince Philip immediately put us at ease with their grace and generosity, turning a ceremonial occasion into something far more natural, even comfortable. Prince Philip in particular was kind and warm, with a sharp wit and unfailing good humour."

Such humour was something he clearly needed. For all of the Queen's accomplishments during her long reign, there has been more than one "annus horribilis". However, through all the scandals, internal ructions and marriage breakdowns that afflicted their children, the Queen and Prince Philip's dedication and loyalty to each other was surely a source of great assurance - that while together they stood, so did the future of the royal institution itself.

His passing does also remind us that for all of the Queen's longevity her time as head of the family and the Commonwealth is coming to an end. For many Australians who have greatly admired the Queen, and were never convinced of the need for a republic while she still carries out her duties, it will be a moment to reflect on what the future might hold.

Whether the transition to a new head of state jolts Australia into finally taking the path to full independence - a position The Age has long supported - is no certain thing. But this event should trigger a full and frank debate.

It was the Queen's biographer Robert Lacey who claimed that Prince Philip's immediate response to the outcome of the 1999 republic referendum was, "What's the matter with these people? Can't they see what's good for them?"

His passing may turn into another notable step towards that moment. For a man celebrated at least in part for having a strong streak of rebelliousness, it may well be a fitting legacy.

FAQ — Australian Republic Movement

Why Should Australia Become A Republic?

Australia should have an Australian as the head of our country. Why?

1) The head of our country (our ‘head of state’) is currently the British Queen. The head of our country should live here and be proud to be Australian. Anyone who holds public office in Australia should be an Australian citizen with allegiance to Australia.

2) Having an Australian as the head of Australia would ensure the things our nation stands for - fairness, equality and merit are better represented at the top of our system of government.  At the moment, the chief qualification for being the head of Australia is which family you were born into: the British Royal Family. The role is too important for an independent, modern and democratic nation like Australia to leave to chance.

3) The head of Australia should be chosen by Australians.  It's wrong an Australian cannot be the head of Australia, and that we have no say in who is.

4) Australia should be fully independent. It's not right for Australia's democracy to be subject to a foreign monarch.

Australia is one of the world's most successful countries. We are independent, diverse and proud of our achievements. Becoming a republic would strengthen the best things about our country for the future.

Prince Philip visited Australia more than 20 times over 72 years — with and without the Queen - ABC News

'What's the matter with these people?'

In 1968, the Duke was described in the press, slightly sarcastically, as a "semi-independent statesman".

During the course of his solo visit, he had spoken feelingly of the need to conserve our forests, enjoyed a brisk stoush with the Chief Justice, Sir Garfield Barwick, and given an address to the National Press Club in which he opined freely about problems in the Commonwealth, the medieval nature of local government in Britain, and the future of the monarchy in Australia.

As reported in the Canberra Times:

"If Australians decided they preferred a republic to the present constitutional arrangement, he said, there would be no 'perturbation' in Whitehall. 'It should be settled by negotiation, not by insult', was his only proviso. The basic issue was what best suited the Australian people."

During the referendum on a republic which finally took place many years later in 1999, the Prince kept uncharacteristically quiet, but it was later reported that not only was he surprised when the republicans failed, but actually said "What's the matter with these people? Can't they see what's good for them?!"