It was disappointing to hear Ex-First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, on @BBCr4today this morning, claim that Prince Philip's Mention in Dispatches at the Battle of Cape Matapan demonstrated cowardice on the part of his crewmates. 1

It's a completely unnecessary and incorrect slur and suggests Stanhope doesn't know what a Mention in Dispatches actually means. Prince Philip demonstrated meritorious service – that does not mean everyone else 'had their heads down, protecting them'. 2

Anyone wanting to learn a bit more about the little known, but hugely significant Battle of Matapan, should have a read of Nick's excellent thread here. 3 https://twitter.com/NickHewitt4/status/1380633885235683328