When The Crown actor Matt Smith asked the Duke of Cambridge for advice on playing his grandfather, William reportedly replied, “Just one word – legend!”
The Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 99 this week, has always commanded huge respect from his family, imbuing the younger generations with confidence, dedication and endurance. He has also been Her Majesty the Queen’s “strength and stay”, holding the record as the longest-serving royal consort in history.
The couple married at Westminster Abbey in November 1947, after King George VI gave his blessing, declaring, “Our daughter is marrying the man she loves.”
The Queen’s cousin Margaret Rhodes famously recalled how a young Elizabeth had been smitten with Philip from the start and likened him to “a Viking god”. He would later be revered as a god on the south Pacific island of Tanna, where followers of the Prince Philip Movement believe he was born to fulfill an ancient prophecy.
Despite admitting in a candid ITV interview with Alan Titchmarsh that it was “naturally disappointing” to give up his flourishing Royal Navy career when his wife was crowned in 1952, he conceded, “My first duty was to serve her in the best way I could.”
Indeed Philip’s motto, according to his cousin Lady Myra Butter, was always, “Just get on with it.”
Up until his retirement in 2017, Philip carried out a staggering 22,219 solo engagements and 637 solo overseas trips. He also delivered 5,496 speeches and was a patron, president or member of 785 organisations. The Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, set up in the 50s, still encourages young people to serve their communities and experience adventure today.
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