Prince Philip will be in East London tomorrow to visit one of the world’s oldest steamships - 40 years after he began the campaign to save her.

The Duke of Edinburgh will be unveiling a plaque to inaugurate SS Robin’s new permanent home in Royal Victoria Dock in Newham. The location is just a mile from her original birthplace on the River Lea where was built at the Thames Ironworks Shipyard in 1890.

Prince Philip’s visit marks the start of the final phase of an extensive five-year, £3m restoration of the area’s most famous ship, which has been supported by thousands of volunteers, friends and contractors.

This final phase of restoration work has been funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and Newham Council and is intended to be completed in 2014, when the ship will open to the public.

David Kampfner, CEO & Co-Founder of SS Robin Trust, said: “HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was instrumental in saving SS Robin in the early 1970s when she was close to the end of her working life. If it hadn’t been for HRH’s original campaign to preserve her from the scrapyard, she would have been lost for ever. Thanks to Prince Philip’s efforts over many decades to save and support this illustrious vessel, we’re pleased to say that SS Robin will soon be open for all to enjoy.”