Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on Friday at the age of 99, as announced by Buckingham Palace. He holds the record for being the longest-serving consort in British history, and he was the first male royal consort since the 1800s, during the reign of Queen Victoria.
According to the official website of the Royal Family, “The Queen declares the demise of her beloved spouse, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with profound sadness.” “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.” “Additional announcements will be made at a later time.” “As they grieve his departure, the Royal Family unite with individuals worldwide.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, speaking in London, expressed that the nation’s thoughts should be directed towards Her Majesty and her family as they mourn the loss of not only a highly respected public figure but also a beloved husband and a proud and affectionate father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
President Biden also offered his condolences. He said that his legacy will live on not only through his charitable endeavors, but also through the impact he has had on his family. He has inspired young people and supported members of the Armed Forces. He has championed environmental efforts and lifted up worthy causes as a patron. It is evident that he has devoted decades of public service.
In a statement by former President George W. Bush, he said, “I am fortunate to have known and enjoyed the wit, charm, and company of his company. We know how much he will be missed, and his support and strength have brought boundless support and dignity to the United Kingdom, where he represented the sovereign.”
After World War II, Prince Philip of Denmark and Greece, a young and dashing officer, served in the Royal Navy’s Pacific and Mediterranean fleets, when he was then courting Princess Elizabeth.
In 1946, he penned a letter to Elizabeth expressing that falling in love wholeheartedly and without reservation had the power to diminish one’s personal troubles as well as the world’s, making them appear insignificant. He also mentioned the opportunity to find solace and readjustment, the fortune of surviving the war and witnessing victory.
At the time of their wedding in 1947, he had agreed that his children would carry his wife’s family name, British citizenship, and renounced his naval career and royal titles.
Karina Urbach from the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London asserts that these sacrifices held great importance. According to her, he must have deeply regretted his decisions. She further adds that although it is a highly privileged life, it can also be exceedingly monotonous. Additionally, she mentions that it prevented someone of his stature, an alpha male who aspires to lead and gain recognition in his own field, from achieving those ambitions.
In his later years, Philip began referring to himself as “the most seasoned plaque revealer in the world.”
Throughout Europe, young Philip experienced a nomadic lifestyle, staying with various royal relatives. His mother, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted to a psychiatric facility, developed a strong devotion to religion. His father gained a reputation for being both unfaithful and a compulsive gambler. Philip’s birthplace was Corfu, Greece, where he was born into a highly dysfunctional faction of the Greek royal family.
“I had loosely pondered, ‘What possibilities did I have?'” He informed the BBC in 1995. “A bit challenging to be without a nationality.”
In the early years, Philip was considered a rebel and bristled at the stuffy courtiers, with Buckingham Palace scenes allowing cameras behind the scenes.
He congratulated a British backpacker in Papua New Guinea for not eating. He once asked a female navy cadet if she worked in a strip club. He called Beijing a “ghastly” city while visiting there. Philip was widely seen as an angular and crotchety figure, trailing behind his wife during royal walkabouts, emitting intermittent gaffes in the 1970s.
According to historian Matthew Glencross from King’s College London, he states that these statements may have been intentionally made, saying that the man was not an idiot. He did it almost deliberately, as he enjoyed the kind of light it shed on a royal tour, because he enjoyed that kind of thing. The man knew what he was saying when he made certain remarks.
Philip was the closest confidant and companion of Elizabeth Queen, linking her life to the last of the throne. She never let it bother her.
After 50 years of marriage, she remarked, “He is an individual who doesn’t readily accept compliments. However, he has, in essence, been my source of support and stability throughout all these years.” The pair was blessed with four children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
He was not careful when crossing that line. Historians say that he had no constitutional role in public life or British politics, but rather as a royal consort. He was a great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria, according to historians.
He founded the Edinburgh Duke of Award in 1956, which honors the achievements and honors of young people around the world. He shared a passionate commitment with his son, Charles, to advocate for the environment and devoted many hours to supporting British institutions.
Philip declared his retirement from public responsibilities in 2017.