The Duke of Edinburgh opened up candidly about leaving his own ambitions
behind when his wife became the Queen.
The Queen and Prince
Philip were married for nearly 74 years before his death last April. Both
had spoken of their affection and respect for one another, as well as the
work they put in to make royal life – and their marriage – work. But, as in
any union, there were sacrifices that had to be made too. Here is how Prince
Philip reflected on his.
As the Queen prepared to sacrifice many aspects of her life
upon ascending to the throne in 1952, Philip was also required to step away
from his beloved naval career for a life of royal duties.
Looking
at Philip's family, it was clear he would serve at sea. Both his
grandfathers had done so, and his uncle Lord Mountbatten urged him to join
the Royal Navy.
Philip joined with the battleship HMS Valiant as
a midshipman when Italy invaded Greece during World War 2. The royal was
also mentioned for his efforts during the night-time battle of Cape Matapan
against the Italian fleet in 1941.
Philip’s commanding officer hailed his impressive work during
the conflict, saying: “Thanks to his alertness and appreciation of the
situation we were able to sink in five minutes two eight-inch gun Italian
cruisers.”
The Duke of Edinburgh reflected in true Prince Philip
form on the wars he had fought in and how he coped with losing his
colleagues. He said: “It was part of the fortunes of war. We didn’t have
counsellors rushing around every time somebody let off a gun...You just got
on with it.”
But in 1947, Philip married Princess Elizabeth and
with that had to balance his military career and his royal obligations.
Then, in 1951, King George VI became increasingly ill, and Philip was
granted leave from his naval duties. But he would never return. His wife
became Queen a year later and decades of royal service would follow.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam, speaking on the Queen
and Philip's 70th wedding anniversary, said that it was very hard for Philip
to turn his back on the Navy and fulfil a supporting role.
He
said: “Philip would have far preferred a naval career than to be in a
supporting role.”
While Philip dutifully got on with his royal
duties despite his sadness of giving up his career, he did discuss his time
with the Navy when writing to his biographer in 1990.
Philip
wrote: “There has never been an ‘if only’ except perhaps that I regret not
having been able to continue a career in the navy.”
The Duke's sacrifice was also portrayed in the Netflix series
'The Crown'. The show's creator, Peter Morgan, suggested that Philip did not
expect he would have to leave the Navy so early in his life.
Mr
Morgan said: “Philip, I think, had made the mental calculation that he would
enjoy 20 years of married life before this dreadful crown business would
happen.”
“He was forced to give up his career and become, as it
were, her consort. And that led to all sorts of tensions, both within
himself and within the marriage.”
After his death in April last
year, Philip's funeral was filled with reminders of his love for the
military. More than 700 army, navy, air force and marines personnel
performed ceremonial roles during the funeral procession.
Soldiers of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a gun
salute and guards regiments in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats were also
seen.
His casket was also carried in a modified Land Rover which
he designed. Philip spent 16 years creating the bespoke vehicle, starting in
2003.
