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Prince Philip on his great sacrifice for the Queen: 'I do have regret'

Prince Philip on his great sacrifice for the Queen: 'I do have regret'

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.


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