01of 09Prince Philip as a toddler.Hulton Archive/GettyBorn into royal lineage on June 10, 1921, Philip was the son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg, and a descendant of England’s Queen Victoria. Though born in Greece, he was raised primarily in England.
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Prince Philip as a toddler.Hulton Archive/Getty
Born into royal lineage on June 10, 1921, Philip was the son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg, and a descendant of England’s Queen Victoria. Though born in Greece, he was raised primarily in England.
02of 09Prince Philip as a young naval officer.PA Images via GettyAs a teen, Philip joined the British Royal Navy, where he served during World War II. It was while at the Royal Naval College in 1939 that an 18-year-old Philip met his 13-year-old distant cousin, Princess Elizabeth. The young daughter of the King of England was smitten and struck up a correspondence with Philip that blossomed into love.
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Prince Philip as a young naval officer.PA Images via Getty
As a teen, Philip joined the British Royal Navy, where he served during World War II. It was while at the Royal Naval College in 1939 that an 18-year-old Philip met his 13-year-old distant cousin, Princess Elizabeth. The young daughter of the King of England was smitten and struck up a correspondence with Philip that blossomed into love.
03of 09Prince Philip and the Queen on their wedding day.Hulton Archive/GettyOn November 20, 1947, the pair married in a spectacular ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey. To wed Elizabeth, Philip gave up his Greek and Danish titles — and any claim to foreign thrones — and became a British citizen, adopting the surname Mountbatten from his mother’s family.One year later, the couple welcomed their first son and heir to the throne,Prince Charles.Elizabeth and Philip spent around two years from 1949 to 1951 living in Malta while Philip was based there in the Navy. She announced she was pregnant with daughter Princess Anne while there, in April 1950, and headed home to Clarence House in order to give birth in August that year.
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Prince Philip and the Queen on their wedding day.Hulton Archive/Getty
On November 20, 1947, the pair married in a spectacular ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey. To wed Elizabeth, Philip gave up his Greek and Danish titles — and any claim to foreign thrones — and became a British citizen, adopting the surname Mountbatten from his mother’s family.
One year later, the couple welcomed their first son and heir to the throne,Prince Charles.
Elizabeth and Philip spent around two years from 1949 to 1951 living in Malta while Philip was based there in the Navy. She announced she was pregnant with daughter Princess Anne while there, in April 1950, and headed home to Clarence House in order to give birth in August that year.
04of 09Prince Philip in 1947.Popperfoto/GettyAccording tohis website, Philip was a patron, president or member of more than 750 organizations in his time. He most notably founded the Duke of Edinburgh Award in 1956; a program to support youth worldwide.
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Prince Philip in 1947.Popperfoto/Getty
According tohis website, Philip was a patron, president or member of more than 750 organizations in his time. He most notably founded the Duke of Edinburgh Award in 1956; a program to support youth worldwide.
05of 09Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection via GettyAfter the death of King George VI in 1952, Elizabeth and Philip were thrust into the spotlight, and him into the role he would play for the rest of his life: the consort to the Queen of England. (In 1957 Elizabeth granted him the title of prince that he had given up to marry her.)Here, the couple arrives to the White House for a meeting with President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie in 1957.
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Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty
After the death of King George VI in 1952, Elizabeth and Philip were thrust into the spotlight, and him into the role he would play for the rest of his life: the consort to the Queen of England. (In 1957 Elizabeth granted him the title of prince that he had given up to marry her.)
Here, the couple arrives to the White House for a meeting with President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie in 1957.
06of 09STRINGER/CENTRAL PRESS/AFP via GettyEventually, the royal couple’s family grew (and grew!) with the additions of sons Prince Andrew (1960) and Prince Edward (1964).
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STRINGER/CENTRAL PRESS/AFP via Getty
Eventually, the royal couple’s family grew (and grew!) with the additions of sons Prince Andrew (1960) and Prince Edward (1964).
07of 09Tim Graham Photo Library via GettyAlthough he always knew his place — specifically, several public steps behind the Queen — the outspoken Philip seemed to chafe at the confines of royal duty at times. However, he had many passions outside the monarchy, including polo, flying planes and driving sports cars.
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Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Although he always knew his place — specifically, several public steps behind the Queen — the outspoken Philip seemed to chafe at the confines of royal duty at times. However, he had many passions outside the monarchy, including polo, flying planes and driving sports cars.
08of 09Colin Davey/GettyPhilip spent his later years focused primarily on supporting the Queen.“Regardless of whether my grandfather seems to be doing his own thing, sort of wandering off like a fish down the river, the fact that he’s there — personally, I don’t think that she could do it without him,“Prince Harrytold the BBC in 2012.
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Colin Davey/Getty
Philip spent his later years focused primarily on supporting the Queen.
“Regardless of whether my grandfather seems to be doing his own thing, sort of wandering off like a fish down the river, the fact that he’s there — personally, I don’t think that she could do it without him,“Prince Harrytold the BBC in 2012.
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Prince Philip.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
On their golden wedding anniversary in 1997,Queen Elizabethoffered a rare glimpse of her tightly-held heart. “He has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years,” she said. “I owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim.”
In their later years, the royals continued their interest in wildlife paintings, which they enjoyed collecting together, horse racing, gardening, their growing family (they have eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren) and their beloved dogs.
Philip was admittedto King Edward VII Hospital in London on Feb. 16, 2021, after “feeling unwell.” After 28 days,he came home. But on the morning of April 9,he diedat the age of 99.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness ThePrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” a royal communications statement read Friday.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
“Further announcements will be made in due course.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
source: people.com
