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Britain's Prince Philip believes engineers make "life better for everyone".
The 93-year-old royal - who is married to Queen Elizabeth - thinks those who choose the career path can make a "greater positive difference to human life" than almost anyone else.
In an article in the New Scientist called "Make things better", he wrote: "Great engineers have a passion to improve life; a burning conviction that they can make life better for everyone.
"Engineers need to have a talent for invention and innovation, but what drives them is the conviction that they can find a better way to do things; a cheaper and more efficient solution to the problems of human existence on this planet of limited resources that we call Earth."
Philip believes engineering is the ideal profession to help people "improve and transform" the "comfort and prosperity" of the lives of others.
He added: "Engineering is not just a profession to be learned and practised as a way of making a living.
"It is one of the few ways in which human talent can be given the chance to improve, and frequently to transform, the comfort and prosperity of the human community.
"In fact, engineering has made a greater positive difference to human life than almost any other human endeavour."
The Duke of Edinburgh's words came ahead of next week's unveiling of the winner of the £1 million Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, which is awarded almost every two years to celebrate innovation and aim to raise the profile of engineering and inspire young people.
The first winners, in 2013, were five people who created the internet and the World Wide Web.
Prince Philip praises engineers
Britain's Prince Philip believes engineers make "life better for everyone".
The 93-year-old royal - who is married to Queen Elizabeth - thinks those who choose the career path can make a "greater positive difference to human life" than almost anyone else.
In an article in the New Scientist called "Make things better", he wrote: "Great engineers have a passion to improve life; a burning conviction that they can make life better for everyone.
"Engineers need to have a talent for invention and innovation, but what drives them is the conviction that they can find a better way to do things; a cheaper and more efficient solution to the problems of human existence on this planet of limited resources that we call Earth."
Philip believes engineering is the ideal profession to help people "improve and transform" the "comfort and prosperity" of the lives of others.
He added: "Engineering is not just a profession to be learned and practised as a way of making a living.
"It is one of the few ways in which human talent can be given the chance to improve, and frequently to transform, the comfort and prosperity of the human community.
"In fact, engineering has made a greater positive difference to human life than almost any other human endeavour."
The Duke of Edinburgh's words came ahead of next week's unveiling of the winner of the £1 million Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, which is awarded almost every two years to celebrate innovation and aim to raise the profile of engineering and inspire young people.
The first winners, in 2013, were five people who created the internet and the World Wide Web.
Royal

Britain's Duchess Camilla wants to open specialist cancer support centres in every major UK city.
The 67-year-old duchess visited Seven Stories, a Maggie's facility in Newcastle which opened at the Freeman Hospital in 2013, yesterday (28.01.15) and spoke of her pride in the work of the charity, of which she is president.
After watching a tai chi session and chatting to cancer patients who use the centre for emotional and practical support, Camilla unveiled a commemorative piece of art and said: "I sort of feel I have been in on this from the very beginning; I have seen the centre from its first embryo.
"I've come here to see the finished article and it's wonderful and uplifting. Like every other Maggie's centre it is a happy place.
"The centre brings everybody together. It's the local community who get involved in raising all the money. It's their centre.
"I hope to have one of these in every major city."
Laura Lee, Maggie's chief executive, said the organisation are delighted to have Camilla's support.
She said: "I'm honoured to welcome the duchess to Maggie's in Newcastle.
"We're incredibly grateful for her continued support and the difference it makes to those who visit and work in our centres."
Duchess Camilla wants more support centres
Britain's Duchess Camilla wants to open specialist cancer support centres in every major UK city.
The 67-year-old duchess visited Seven Stories, a Maggie's facility in Newcastle which opened at the Freeman Hospital in 2013, yesterday (28.01.15) and spoke of her pride in the work of the charity, of which she is president.
After watching a tai chi session and chatting to cancer patients who use the centre for emotional and practical support, Camilla unveiled a commemorative piece of art and said: "I sort of feel I have been in on this from the very beginning; I have seen the centre from its first embryo.
"I've come here to see the finished article and it's wonderful and uplifting. Like every other Maggie's centre it is a happy place.
"The centre brings everybody together. It's the local community who get involved in raising all the money. It's their centre.
"I hope to have one of these in every major city."
Laura Lee, Maggie's chief executive, said the organisation are delighted to have Camilla's support.
She said: "I'm honoured to welcome the duchess to Maggie's in Newcastle.
"We're incredibly grateful for her continued support and the difference it makes to those who visit and work in our centres."
Royal

Britain's Prince Charles attempted some surgical skills at a hospital yesterday (29.01.15).
The 66-year-old prince opened the Surgical Innovation Centre at St. Mary's Hospital in London and was shown new inventions used by surgeons and teaching aids such as a digital touch-screen skeleton.
He tried out some tiny pincers to pick up chick peas and move them around and was fascinated by other technological innovations, such as an app used to measure children's breathing to help asthma, and a low-cost pop-up surgical theatre, though a new way of taking stool samples left him blushing
He said afterwards: "I was fascinated going around, trying to understand how you managed to create all these innovative inventions. My great great great grandfather, Prince Albert would have been very proud."
Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham - director of the institute of global health innovation at Imperial College London - was "delighted" to show the prince around the new facility.
He said: "We are delighted the Prince of Wales visited the centre.
"The NHS is under considerable pressure in meeting the challenge of shifting patient demographics, the burden of life style disease and financial constraints. Innovation through better technologies, processes and design can help address the challenges facing health care delivery globally."
Prince Charles tries surgical skills
Britain's Prince Charles attempted some surgical skills at a hospital yesterday (29.01.15).
The 66-year-old prince opened the Surgical Innovation Centre at St. Mary's Hospital in London and was shown new inventions used by surgeons and teaching aids such as a digital touch-screen skeleton.
He tried out some tiny pincers to pick up chick peas and move them around and was fascinated by other technological innovations, such as an app used to measure children's breathing to help asthma, and a low-cost pop-up surgical theatre, though a new way of taking stool samples left him blushing
He said afterwards: "I was fascinated going around, trying to understand how you managed to create all these innovative inventions. My great great great grandfather, Prince Albert would have been very proud."
Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham - director of the institute of global health innovation at Imperial College London - was "delighted" to show the prince around the new facility.
He said: "We are delighted the Prince of Wales visited the centre.
"The NHS is under considerable pressure in meeting the challenge of shifting patient demographics, the burden of life style disease and financial constraints. Innovation through better technologies, processes and design can help address the challenges facing health care delivery globally."
Royal

Councillors in Newmarket are to bid for the town to be given royal status.
Officials in the Suffolk town - which is famed for being the "home of horse racing" - voted unanimously on Monday (26.01.15) to apply for patronage, giving it the official title of Royal Newmarket.
Warwick Hirst, council portfolio holder for leisure, believes the town's 400-year-old association with horse racing and the royal family should give them a strong case.
He added: "The town has strong royal connections."
However, the council official admitted it may not be easy to gain the recognition as in 2011, Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire became the first town in over 100 years to gain the prefix, joining Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells.
He said: "We're optimistic, but there are only three others so perhaps it's very difficult."
An application later and 80-page book detailing the town's royal connections have been sent to the Cabinet Office but it is the reigning monarch who decides to bestow the honour.
Racing - the queen's favourite sport - dominates the town, where horses have the right of way on road crossings.
King James I first recognised land in the town as being ideal for horses in 1605 and from 1660, Charles II was a regular visitor and rode on two of the courses that are still used.
Queen Elizabeth often attends race meetings in Newmarket.
Newmarket wants royal status
Councillors in Newmarket are to bid for the town to be given royal status.
Officials in the Suffolk town - which is famed for being the "home of horse racing" - voted unanimously on Monday (26.01.15) to apply for patronage, giving it the official title of Royal Newmarket.
Warwick Hirst, council portfolio holder for leisure, believes the town's 400-year-old association with horse racing and the royal family should give them a strong case.
He added: "The town has strong royal connections."
However, the council official admitted it may not be easy to gain the recognition as in 2011, Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire became the first town in over 100 years to gain the prefix, joining Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells.
He said: "We're optimistic, but there are only three others so perhaps it's very difficult."
An application later and 80-page book detailing the town's royal connections have been sent to the Cabinet Office but it is the reigning monarch who decides to bestow the honour.
Racing - the queen's favourite sport - dominates the town, where horses have the right of way on road crossings.
King James I first recognised land in the town as being ideal for horses in 1605 and from 1660, Charles II was a regular visitor and rode on two of the courses that are still used.
Queen Elizabeth often attends race meetings in Newmarket.
Royal

Britain's Earl Spencer says his late sister Princess Diana's fame helps with his career.
The historian and author believes observing the global recognition his sister - who died in a Paris car crash in 1997 - experienced helps "humanise" the people he researches for his work.
Discussing his new book, 'Killers of the King: The Men Who Dared to Execute Charles I', he said: "When your big sister becomes arguably the most famous woman in the world, you realise the absurdity of fame. It really helps as a historian. They're still human beings.
"One of the most moving passages in this book is the king, knowing he's going to be executed the next day, saying goodbye to his eight-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter. In that scene, he's no longer a king."
Charles previously worked on the 'Today' show as a correspondent from 1986 to 1995 and says his sister was able to reduce network executives "to jelly" with her presence.
Recalling a time Diana visited him at the NBC London bureau, he told the Wall Street Journal: "[It was] at the peak of her global fame to take me out to lunch. All these hardened NBC hacks were reduced to jelly."
Earl Spencer: Diana’s fame informs work
Britain's Earl Spencer says his late sister Princess Diana's fame helps with his career.
The historian and author believes observing the global recognition his sister - who died in a Paris car crash in 1997 - experienced helps "humanise" the people he researches for his work.
Discussing his new book, 'Killers of the King: The Men Who Dared to Execute Charles I', he said: "When your big sister becomes arguably the most famous woman in the world, you realise the absurdity of fame. It really helps as a historian. They're still human beings.
"One of the most moving passages in this book is the king, knowing he's going to be executed the next day, saying goodbye to his eight-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter. In that scene, he's no longer a king."
Charles previously worked on the 'Today' show as a correspondent from 1986 to 1995 and says his sister was able to reduce network executives "to jelly" with her presence.
Recalling a time Diana visited him at the NBC London bureau, he told the Wall Street Journal: "[It was] at the peak of her global fame to take me out to lunch. All these hardened NBC hacks were reduced to jelly."
Royal

Britain's Prince Charles says the Holocaust is a "warning and lesson to us all".
The 66-year-old royal joined politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, actress Helena Bonham Carter and elderly Holocaust survivors at Central Hall in Westminster yesterday (27.01.15), which was Holocaust Memorial Day, and gave a speech to remember those who perished during the "Nazis' diabolical enterprise".
Charles - who was accompanied by his wife Duchess Camilla - said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is not just a memorial to those six million innocent Jewish men, women and children - it is also universal because the Jews in this story represent all of us.
"That is why the Holocaust is not just a Jewish tragedy, nor merely a dark page from the Second World War, but a warning and a lesson to all of us of all faiths in all times.
"The memory of this suffering and the unspeakable, yet almost incredible, details of the Nazis' diabolical enterprise can help future generations, wherever they may be, understand not just what happened across Europe, but how this came to happen."
Mr. Cameron called for Britain to "stand together" against prejudice.
He told those assembled: "It is time for Britain as a nation to stand together and say 'We will remember'.
"We will not let any form of prejudice destroy the multi-faith, multi-ethnic democracy we are so proud to call our home.
"We will teach every generation the British values of respect and tolerance that we hold dear.
"And we will ensure that they can learn from the stories of our Holocaust survivors long after we have all gone."
Sir John Hurt, Michael Palin, Sarah Lancashire and Christopher Eccleston were among those who also gave readings.
Prince Charles remembers Holocaust victims
Britain's Prince Charles says the Holocaust is a "warning and lesson to us all".
The 66-year-old royal joined politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, actress Helena Bonham Carter and elderly Holocaust survivors at Central Hall in Westminster yesterday (27.01.15), which was Holocaust Memorial Day, and gave a speech to remember those who perished during the "Nazis' diabolical enterprise".
Charles - who was accompanied by his wife Duchess Camilla - said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is not just a memorial to those six million innocent Jewish men, women and children - it is also universal because the Jews in this story represent all of us.
"That is why the Holocaust is not just a Jewish tragedy, nor merely a dark page from the Second World War, but a warning and a lesson to all of us of all faiths in all times.
"The memory of this suffering and the unspeakable, yet almost incredible, details of the Nazis' diabolical enterprise can help future generations, wherever they may be, understand not just what happened across Europe, but how this came to happen."
Mr. Cameron called for Britain to "stand together" against prejudice.
He told those assembled: "It is time for Britain as a nation to stand together and say 'We will remember'.
"We will not let any form of prejudice destroy the multi-faith, multi-ethnic democracy we are so proud to call our home.
"We will teach every generation the British values of respect and tolerance that we hold dear.
"And we will ensure that they can learn from the stories of our Holocaust survivors long after we have all gone."
Sir John Hurt, Michael Palin, Sarah Lancashire and Christopher Eccleston were among those who also gave readings.
Royal

Britain's Princess Anne has officially opened a new facility at a hospital bearing her name.
The Princess Royal unveiled a plaque after touring the new £28 million Women and Children's Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, Shropshire and was impressed by the changes she has witnessed since she first visited 25 years ago.
Unveiling the plaque, she said: "This marks the progress of time. It is 25 years since I first came and I don't underestimate for a second the work it has taken to create this facility. But it also demonstrates that you have adapted and made the best of what modern technology has to offer."
The centre - which fully opened in September - includes a Children's Oncology and Haematology Department, Postnatal Ward, Walker Trust Suite and Neonatal Ward and the 64-year-old royal said she believed it would help women feel confident about raising their children.
She said: "Confidence is a very fragile commodity, but with the right support and facilities, that confidence can stay with you."
Kate Shaw, Programme Manager for the Shropshire Women and Children's Centre development, said meeting the princess had been an "honour" and the visit was a memorable one.
She said: "Today's opening was a real celebration of all the hard work and commitment in the creation of the Women and Children's Centre and delivery of the changes to women and children's services.
"It was a real honour to meet the Princess Royal and the time she gave to staff and patients will always be remembered."
Princess Anne opens hospital facility
Britain's Princess Anne has officially opened a new facility at a hospital bearing her name.
The Princess Royal unveiled a plaque after touring the new £28 million Women and Children's Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, Shropshire and was impressed by the changes she has witnessed since she first visited 25 years ago.
Unveiling the plaque, she said: "This marks the progress of time. It is 25 years since I first came and I don't underestimate for a second the work it has taken to create this facility. But it also demonstrates that you have adapted and made the best of what modern technology has to offer."
The centre - which fully opened in September - includes a Children's Oncology and Haematology Department, Postnatal Ward, Walker Trust Suite and Neonatal Ward and the 64-year-old royal said she believed it would help women feel confident about raising their children.
She said: "Confidence is a very fragile commodity, but with the right support and facilities, that confidence can stay with you."
Kate Shaw, Programme Manager for the Shropshire Women and Children's Centre development, said meeting the princess had been an "honour" and the visit was a memorable one.
She said: "Today's opening was a real celebration of all the hard work and commitment in the creation of the Women and Children's Centre and delivery of the changes to women and children's services.
"It was a real honour to meet the Princess Royal and the time she gave to staff and patients will always be remembered."
Royal

Britain's Prince Harry reportedly has a new army role helping injured servicemen and women.
The 30-year-old royal - who is known as Captain Wales in the army - will spend several months with a personal recovery unit in London helping sick and wounded personnel either gain employment and care back in civilian life or return to their roles in the military and is said to see the work as an extension of his efforts with the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style tournament he set up for injured servicemen and women which took place last September.
A source told People magazine: "It is a natural progression, following on from the Games. This is something he is both committed to and is passionate about in both his army job and his public royal role.
"This is something he will always have an interest in regardless of what job he has. But he has a chance at the moment to use his military job to get a better understanding and experience of the process and help put procedures in place to help those who have been wounded."
Harry previously admitted he wanted to stage the Invictus Games to "inspire recovery and support rehabilitation".
He said: "Why do we need to do it? Well, to demonstrate the power of sports, to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and to demonstrate life beyond disability, and it really is as simple as that.
"I have witnessed first-hand how the power of sport can positively impact the lives of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women in their journey of recovery."
The next Invictus Games are expected to take place in 2016.
Prince Harry lands new army role
Britain's Prince Harry reportedly has a new army role helping injured servicemen and women.
The 30-year-old royal - who is known as Captain Wales in the army - will spend several months with a personal recovery unit in London helping sick and wounded personnel either gain employment and care back in civilian life or return to their roles in the military and is said to see the work as an extension of his efforts with the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style tournament he set up for injured servicemen and women which took place last September.
A source told People magazine: "It is a natural progression, following on from the Games. This is something he is both committed to and is passionate about in both his army job and his public royal role.
"This is something he will always have an interest in regardless of what job he has. But he has a chance at the moment to use his military job to get a better understanding and experience of the process and help put procedures in place to help those who have been wounded."
Harry previously admitted he wanted to stage the Invictus Games to "inspire recovery and support rehabilitation".
He said: "Why do we need to do it? Well, to demonstrate the power of sports, to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and to demonstrate life beyond disability, and it really is as simple as that.
"I have witnessed first-hand how the power of sport can positively impact the lives of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women in their journey of recovery."
The next Invictus Games are expected to take place in 2016.
Royal

Britain's Princess Anne praised a new university building as "remarkable".
The Princes Royal visited Huddersfield University on Friday (23.01.15) to officially open the new Student Central area, which is designed a space for students to eat, study and relax and was very impressed with what she saw.
She said: "It's a really good example of what can be achieved by understanding students and the way you need to work together as a team.
"It is building on strengths with what was here in Huddersfield before and, hopefully, it will take you a long way."
Anne toured the facility, which includes a variety of food and drink outlets, a sports hall which can be turned into an exam room or meeting venue for up to 800 people, a fitness suite, dance studio and squash courts.
She also spoke at length to a number of fashion and textile degree students about the projects and work experience placements they have undertaken and was able to view their work.
She also met with staff working in the Sport and Fitness Department, the University Employability and Careers Service and the Wellbeing and Disability Service.
Princes Anne praises university facility
Britain's Princess Anne praised a new university building as "remarkable".
The Princes Royal visited Huddersfield University on Friday (23.01.15) to officially open the new Student Central area, which is designed a space for students to eat, study and relax and was very impressed with what she saw.
She said: "It's a really good example of what can be achieved by understanding students and the way you need to work together as a team.
"It is building on strengths with what was here in Huddersfield before and, hopefully, it will take you a long way."
Anne toured the facility, which includes a variety of food and drink outlets, a sports hall which can be turned into an exam room or meeting venue for up to 800 people, a fitness suite, dance studio and squash courts.
She also spoke at length to a number of fashion and textile degree students about the projects and work experience placements they have undertaken and was able to view their work.
She also met with staff working in the Sport and Fitness Department, the University Employability and Careers Service and the Wellbeing and Disability Service.
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