On 9th April 2021, Buckingham Palace released this statement:
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
Prince Philip lived an extraordinary life. So many people around the world feel a sense of mourning and loss at the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh. It can seem hard to find the words to express all that Prince Philip’s life has been.
The Prince will always be remembered for his devotion to duty, to the service of others, and to his wife the Queen. Prince Philip has always been true to himself, being authentic and genuine in his actions, words, and decisions, both in public and private. He has not been afraid to express his true opinion, and this may be the key to his abilities as prince consort; he is someone the Queen has truly been able to rely upon. The Queen knew that her husband would always speak plainly and truthfully, even if it was not what she or others wanted to hear. In her position, where so many could pander to her, the Queen needed that authenticity. From a young age, the Queen knew that Philip was the man she wanted to marry.
Why was the Duke so extraordinary? I think it was because he put others first, and that in turn made him happy. He was content within himself. He acted out of common sense, and wasn’t afraid of that. He took a keen interest in the causes he supported, but would also not allow people to run circles around him, having his finger on the pulse the whole time. Throughout the many years of public service he gave, with the repeated events, walkabouts, worldwide travel, and speeches, he remained engaged and focused, never showing signs of boredom, but always present and focused on the causes or places or people he was supporting. The Duke found the humour in situations, and showed the human side of the monarchy. Yes, he was known for some rather outspoken comments, but that in a way has been a trademark of who he was.
The Prince had a difficult childhood. Born a Prince of Greece on 10th June 1921, to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg, making him a member of both the greek and danish royal families. He was a great-great-great grandchild of Queen Victoria. His family was exiled when he was young. His childhood was spent in France, Germany and the UK, where he famously attended Gordonstoun school in Scotland. He grew up away from his father, and also spent the majority of his childhood away from his mother, Princess Alice, who went on to shelter jews in the second world war, and become a nun, starting her own order. Later on he joined the British Royal Navy, and fought in the Second World War, reaching the rank of First Lieutenant by the end of the war. After the war, Prince Philip became engaged to his third cousin, the then Princess Elizabeth, with whom he had started a relationship during the war. They married in 1947. Previous to the marriage, the Prince renounced his titles and claim to the Greek and Danish thrones, and became a naturalised British Subject. The King, George VI, allowed Philip to become HRH Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and after ascending the throne in 1952, his wife made him have, "place, pre-eminence and precedence," next to her, "on all occasions and in all meetings, except where otherwise provided by Act of Parliament." In 1957 the Queen made him an official Prince of the UK in his own right.
Growing up, the young Philip spent much time with, ‘Uncle Dickie,’ Louis, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, his maternal uncle. Louis Mountbatten was in effect a father figure to Philip. Earl Mountbatten was also in the British Royal Navy like Philip. Some credit Earl Mountbatten with bringing about the marriage of Philip and the then Princess Elizabeth. Perhaps it is his difficult childhood, his lack of a solid family home, that made the Duke determined to create a stable family of his own, and also contribute to a stable monarchy. As a child he witnessed first hand the exile of his own family, and this experience may have been behind his efforts to modernise the British monarchy and ensure its survival.
After his marriage, the newly titled Duke of Edinburgh continued his role in the Navy, including a posting to Malta during which his wife accompanied him. The Duke became Prince Consort when his wife became Queen in 1952. The Duke had hitherto lived a life of relative independence, with his role in the Navy. Now, his wife was the head of state, and he would always walk two steps behind her. Some may have balked at the idea and tried to keep a separate life for themselves. But the Duke has been the epitome of service, and of putting others before himself. He found contentment and purpose in his role of consort. The Duke found a balance between supporting the Queen, and in doing his own projects and roles.
The Duke carved out a role for himself, supporting the Queen at ceremonial occasions, and helping her carry out her charity work, but also carrying out his own work in his own right. The Duke took on many patronages and presidences of charities and organisations. He also created the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a scheme by which young people carry out different activities, including volunteering, learning skills, physical activities, and expeditions. Levels of Bronze, Silver, and Gold can be achieved, and until his retirement from public duties the Duke personally gave out all the Gold awards himself.
The Duke had four children:
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
Princess Anne the Princess Royal
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Philip took an active interest in the lives of his children, and although some feel he could have been too demanding, expecting a high level of courage and ability to endure from his children, he nonetheless showed them attention and tried his best to be there for them, whilst also meeting the demands of his public role.
The Prince had an interest in sports from a young age, and this is something he shared with his family down the generations. The Prince played polo competitively, as did his son Prince Charles, and grandsons Princes William and Harry, and when he had to give polo up due to his advancing age, he took up competitive carriage driving, a sport that his granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor also competes at. The Duke enjoyed having the chance to show what he could do for himself, regardless of his public role and titled position.
The Duke retired at the age of 96, in 2017, from public duties. Although, he was still seen in public at family occasions such as weddings. The Duke spent the majority of his retirement years on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Although he had some health issues, and a few surgeries and hospital visits, he was relatively fit and healthy in his latter years, something his family are grateful for, no doubt.
The Duke was an extraordinary figure, and quite simply was the Queen’s, “strength and stay all these years,” as she put it in a speech to mark their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple were married for over 73 years. The Duke will be much missed, but we can reflect on a life well lived, and one that will go down in history.
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