Is the husband of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain alive? Balance of power: the story of the happy marriage of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
A lot is written about Queen Elizabeth, but her husband always seems to be in the shadows.
As a girl, she never imagined that she would become a queen. But as a result of the crisis of the British monarchy, when Edward VIII chose to give up the throne for the sake of his love for the American Wallis Simpson, who was disliked by the court, in 1936 his brother George VI, Elizabeth’s father, was on the throne. And on February 6, 1952, at the age of 25, after the unexpected death of George, Elizabeth was proclaimed queen.
As the head of state, she is accustomed to constantly being in the public eye, defending the country's age-old traditions. Her every day is planned down to the minute, she is interested in everything that happens around her, keeping her finger on the pulse of events. For most people on earth, she is a symbol of Great Britain, and they cannot imagine the country without her. But who is the person who always and everywhere accompanies Elizabeth, being one step behind her? Her husband Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the man who won the queen's heart once and for all.
Elizabeth II got married five years before accession to the throne.
Her chosen one, Philip Mountbatten (who later became the Duke of Edinburgh) was born on the island of Corfu and was a descendant of the Danish-Greek royal family. His grandfather was assassinated in 1913, his uncle Constantine was dethroned in 1917, and his cousin George II abdicated the crown in 1923.
Philip's family was expelled from Greece when he was just a year old, and according to some accounts, he arrived in Britain in an orange box. As an adult, Prince Philip forever refused the opportunity to take the Greek throne, accepting English citizenship.
If you imagine an ideal prince, then the image of the Duke of Edinburgh should appear before the eyes of any romantic girl. They say that his beauty had such an all-conquering power that women fainted at the sight of him.
Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark
Prince Philip with parents and sisters
The princess fell in love with young Philip at the age of 13 - for the first time and for the rest of her life.
While traveling on her parents' yacht, Elizabeth and her younger sister Margaret met a handsome 18-year-old midshipman from the Royal Naval College in Dortmoor. Philip, having played croquet with the girls, conveniently forgot about the acquaintance.
Philip's education was handled by his uncle, who paid for his studies at a private British school, and later at the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. It was there in July 1939, during the visit of George VI and his family, that thirteen-year-old Elizabeth first managed to communicate with her second cousin, cadet Philip. The young man's uncle, Royal Navy officer Dickie Mountbatten, and his nephew were invited to tea with the royal family. Even then, the princess's governess noticed that "Lilibet could not take her eyes off him." Which, however, was not at all surprising: the 18-year-old prince was a tall, handsome blond, and also beautifully built.
But the young British princess, having played just one game with him, fell recklessly in love. She waited for her chosen one for six whole years, although the entire royal family did not approve of her falling in love. The Grandfather King did not really like this candidacy for Elizabeth’s chosen one.
After all, Lieutenant Mountbatten, now His Royal Highness Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, although he was not a commoner, came from an impoverished dynasty that had long since lost power.
The match was not brilliant... Grandfather also did not like the fact that Elizabeth made a hasty choice and settled on the first young man whom she had barely met.
And besides, the princess and prince were second cousins - Queen Victoria was their great-great-grandmother. The royal family believed that young Elizabeth needed to think carefully and make a more informed decision.
However, the princess had no idea of giving up her childhood dreams, she was still in love, and it was not in her character to retreat.
According to rumors, Elizabeth, like her legendary great-great-grandmother Victoria, herself proposed to her future husband.
In any case, there is no information in the archives of the royal family confirming that the prince made the marriage proposal.
After the death of his father, Philip finally moved to London and became a frequent guest at Buckingham Palace. During the war, he went to the front, continuing to send Elizabeth long and tender letters. And in the summer of 1946 he proposed to the princess, which she immediately accepted, without even consulting her parents. Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) and George VI did not hide the fact that they would like the best match for their daughter. Philip's father, Prince Andrew, left his son neither fortune nor land holdings - nothing except his pedigree and the signet ring, which the Duke still wears to this day. However, George and Elizabeth relented, blessing their daughter’s marriage.
The title of HRH Duke of Edinburgh was given to Philip by King George V on the eve of his wedding. Elizabeth's wedding became the first and only case in British history of the marriage of the presumptive heir to the throne.
The wedding ceremony of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh took place at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947.
The hair of the eight bridesmaids was decorated with miniature wreaths of white satin and brocade with silver thread, made by Jac Ltd of London
The wedding ceremony of Princess Elizabeth and Philip began at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947 at 11:30 GMT. Tens of thousands of people gathered near the abbey, wanting to see the princess in her wedding dress. As expected, the bride was accompanied to the altar by her father. She wore an ivory satin dress embroidered with thousands of pearl and crystal beads. It took court designer Sir Norman Harnell several months to create it.
The five-meter veil was carried by two pages: Princes Michael of Kent and William. The veil was decorated with lace and held on her head by a diamond tiara that belonged to her mother. The Queen Mother received the tiara from her mother Queen Mary, who in turn inherited it as a wedding gift from Queen Victoria. After the wedding, Philip entered the service of the Admiralty and received the title Duke of Edinburgh.
The newlyweds began to lead an active social life. They often went to races at Ascot and Epson (horses have always been the queen’s main passion, and she herself is an excellent rider),
They appeared at receptions together, went to dances, without denying themselves anything.
On November 14, 1948, Elizabeth gave birth to a boy, Charles Philip Arthur George. Soon the Duke was appointed first lieutenant of the mission in the Mediterranean, in Malta.
Elizabeth followed her husband. They were left to each other. The princess was busy running the house, communicating with the wives of other officers, meeting with them for 5 o’clock tea with scones and orange jam. “I think she was happy to just be a wife,” recalls her cousin Marguerite Rhodes. “Then she was able to feel what ordinary life is like.”
After Philip's mission was completed, Elizabeth returned to London already in her sixth month of pregnancy. Soon she gave birth to a daughter, Anna Elizabeth Alice Louise.
But the happiness was not complete: members of the royal family were concerned about the rapidly deteriorating health of King George VI. In February 1952, he died from a blood clot in his heart. Philip was the first to know about his death. At this time, he and Elizabeth were touring Kenya, and he knew that this news would be a real shock for his wife. Philip has always been his wife's main support. And he became the first who, traditionally bowing his knee, took an oath of allegiance to his queen: “I, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, become your lifelong vassal and lowest servant; I promise to serve you faithfully and die for you, no matter what happens. May God help me!”
The coronation of Elizabeth II was the most democratic in the history of England. The Queen insisted on broadcasting on British television, arguing: “People have to see me to believe me.”
Immediately after the ceremony, the couple set off on a trip around the world, which lasted almost six months. In the history of the British monarchy, such a grandiose journey was the first. Philip left the service, he accompanied his wife everywhere and tried to be her faithful assistant and adviser in state affairs.
However, not everything was rosy in their family life. After the death of George VI, Philip's uncle, Dickie, raised the issue that the ruling house should henceforth be the House of Mountbatten, rather than Windwell - a statement that was met with hostility by Queen Mother Elizabeth and Queen Mary. Prime Minister Winston Churchill was also against it.
Elizabeth listened to the wise and experienced Churchill and refused to take her husband's surname. “I am the only person in the whole United Kingdom who cannot give his own surname to his own children,” Philip lamented. The ridicule of the courtiers fairly irritated the duke, and he reacted to them quite sharply. Meanwhile, the young queen had less and less time for her children and husband, and a certain detachment appeared in their relationship.
However, Philip soon managed to find a job he liked and his place in society. He began to engage in charity work, and quite successfully. His focus is on sports, youth, environmental protection and education issues. In the spring of 1959, the Queen became pregnant again. This time she decided to reconsider her surname, changing it to Mountbatten. She wanted to please her husband, whom she continued to love immensely. The result of a long discussion was that Charles and Anne would remain Windsors, while the rest of the heirs would bear the “compromise” surname Mountbatten-Windsor. So, in February 1960, the second son of the royal couple, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was born. Elizabeth, as a sign of her devotion to her husband, named the boy in honor of Philip's father Andrei.
And in 1964 - Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, Nince Andrew, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Charles.
Being the husband of a queen regnant is an unenviable “position.”
As the Duke of Edinburgh Philip himself jokes, according to English law it is as if he does not exist.
In Great Britain, the husband of the queen regnant does not become king, but remains a prince consort.
Thus, Philip of Edinburgh has never been and never will be crowned.
He is a private person and is doomed to remain in the shadows.
So what helped the Queen and Duke keep their family together, surviving together until their diamond wedding, which they celebrated in 2007 in Malta? Robert Lacey, a biographer of Elizabeth II, sees the secret of a successful marriage in the fact that “each of them had an unspoken right to their own private life, separate from their spouse. I would call this style “family confederation”. It is clear that Prince Philip must accompany his wife wherever she appears, but the Queen has always had the right to her own interests.
In official life he is always one step behind the queen. At home, however, the Prince Consort was always the head of the family. It is he who makes all the most important family decisions, it is he who decides which school to send the children to study. The late Lord Mountbatten told me a wonderful story about this. Early in their marriage, the Queen and Prince Philip came to visit him in Hampshire. One day the three of them were riding in a car driven by Philip. The Queen sat next to her husband in the front seat. Each time, on turns where he hardly slowed down, the queen held her breath and then exhaled loudly.
Finally, Philip got tired of it, and he told his wife: “If you repeat that again, I will throw you out of the car!” Then Lord Mountbatten turned to her and said: “Darling, you are the queen, how can you allow him to treat you like that?” But the queen was not embarrassed by this rudeness: “He is my husband. I know that if I say a word, he will actually throw me out of the car.” Indeed, Philip treats Elizabeth not only as a queen, but also as a woman, wife and mother of his children. And perhaps this contrast between the queen’s position in society and in the family made her so happy all this time.
As for the personal relationship of Elizabeth II with her husband, unfortunately, the handsome prince turned out to be not such a wonderful husband.
Queen Elizabeth's family relationships were far from serene: there are rumors that the Duke of Edinburgh has illegitimate children, and Philip's relationship with the Queen's cousin Alexandra once turned into a national scandal.
However, Queen Elizabeth II never commented on her husband's actions, at least publicly.
At one time, she showed all her tact and managed to maintain the balance that had been disrupted in the family.
And it saved her marriage.
Elizabeth undividedly recognized her husband's authority in family affairs, and Philip became a reliable support in the performance of her royal duties.
British Royal Family
In 1997, Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh Philip celebrated their golden wedding.
And on November 20, 2007, the royal couple celebrated the 60th anniversary of their marriage - their diamond wedding.
Thus, their marriage is the longest in the history of the British monarchy, and Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a diamond wedding.
A ceremony in honor of the anniversary took place in Westminster Abbey on November 19, 2007.
The service dedicated to the celebration was attended by 2,000 guests.
They included five choristers who sang at the wedding of Elizabeth and Philip sixty years ago, as well as 10 couples who celebrated their Diamond Wedding on the same day as the royal couple.
Three generations of the British royal family:
Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh,
Prince of Wales Charles and Prince William
And as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry says in his novel “Planet of People”:
“Loving does not mean looking at each other, loving means looking together in the same direction.”
I really like this photo, it perfectly reflects the character of Prince Philip. The queen's husband casually dropped another trademark joke and the strict policeman almost bursts with laughter, trying to stand at attention. And the Prince himself, at 91, as if nothing had happened, walks through the cold to church after a long illness, when the Queen went there by car. Philip goes accompanied only by the groom. This is all he is.
In my opinion, Philip is one of the brightest and most worthy members of the royal family. They don't make things like that anymore.
Queen Elizabeth II has been the face of the English monarchy for more than 65 years. It is difficult to imagine the Queen of England in any other way, as her appearance, taste, style, manners, character and features correspond to her current role. But Elizabeth’s chances of becoming a monarch were assessed as insignificant.
Not a beauty, but very sweet, diligent and inquisitive, and at the same time quite decisive and adventurous. All these extraordinary traits may have predetermined Elizabeth's life path. Random factors also played a significant role, because no one could have imagined that her uncle Edward would abdicate the throne in the name of love, and her father, King George VI, would die early enough due to illness.
But the stars aligned so that, having become queen at a very young age, Elizabeth II is today the oldest monarch in Europe.
Her life was not boring, it had everything - a happy childhood, an active youth filled with ardent love and quite serious trials, maturity, during which the queen did everything to restore respect and honor to the monarchy in Great Britain.
Elizabeth in her youth
The future queen was born in April 1926 to the couple Prince Albert, Duke of York - the youngest son of the reigning King George V, and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
5 months
About 2 years
With sister and mother, 1931
Lilibet, Elizabeth's affectionate name, was a sweet and obedient girl.
1932
She was distinguished by perseverance and a thirst for knowledge. The girl received a home education in the humanities, and, of course, a high level worthy of a princess. The princess was educated by the best teachers, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the rector of Eton, and a French governess. Much attention was paid to the study of languages, history, religious studies, the study of the constitution and law.
From an early age, Lilibet adored horses, she herself deftly stayed in the saddle and loved watching races.
The future queen carried this passion, like her love for dogs, throughout her life.
1936
Studying was easy for Lilibet, and in her youth she mastered the French language perfectly; she managed to realize her sharp mind, erudition and natural adventurism after being a scout and a sea ranger.
Elizabeth's speech on the radio, 1940
During the Second World War
18 years
Husband Prince Philip
The future queen met her future husband, Prince Philip, at the age of 13.
Philip was of “blue blood”: his father was a Greek prince, his mother was a German princess. But his family came under repression after the overthrow of the monarchy in Greece, was forced to flee the country, and the young prince lived in different countries from infancy, having a noble origin, external beauty and stateliness as an asset, and a completely empty bank account as a liability.
The love of the young princess for Philip, having flared up once, passed through her entire life. Allegedly, Lilibet herself proposed to the prince.
Her parents did not really approve of her choice, since the prince was not only poor, but also bore a German title, which was not welcomed at the English court, was very handsome, which evoked thoughts of possible betrayals in the future, and, moreover, had a very peculiar feeling humor.
However, Elizabeth was able to insist on her decision and her parents agreed to this marriage. By agreement with the bride's father, the newlyweds waited until Elizabeth turned 21, after which a magnificent wedding took place in Westminster Abbey, which was broadcast on television for the first time.
Coronation of Elizabeth
In 1952, the measured life of the married couple changed radically. In February of that year, due to a serious illness, the current monarch, George VI, passed away, who at one time became king also by coincidence - due to his abdication of the throne due to his great love for the commoner King Edward VIII. Elizabeth became heir to the throne and was urgently summoned for coronation from a trip with her husband to Kenya. The new queen was crowned on July 2, 1953, after which she went on a long royal tour of the countries.
One of the goals of this tour was to raise the prestige of the crown. In addition, from her youth, Elizabeth was passionate about the idea of general welfare, so charity became a second task.
1955
1957
1959
Queen Elizabeth II devoted her entire life to raising the prestige of the monarchy in the state and beyond. It was under her that the royal family came out of the shadows and all significant family and state events were covered on television. And of course, no state events took place without her participation. Being the embodiment of true femininity, the queen at any age appeared to the public as the embodiment of elegance, fashion and style.
Already in her high status, the Queen gave birth to two more children - Prince Andrew in 1960 and Prince Edward in 1964.
With Andrew and Anna in 1960
With Edward in 1964
Prince Consort Philip, being a minor figure in the state, devoted more time to raising children, while continuing to serve in the Admiralty.
1968
1972
1979
1986
1997
Queen Elizabeth II now
Having reached the venerable age of 92, Queen Elizabeth is full of strength and energy. She is the longest reigning monarch in British history. Her main hobbies have remained unchanged since childhood - dogs and horses, and in adulthood the Queen of England also became interested in gardening.
As before, Elizabeth’s main activities are representational functions and charity. Nevertheless, the Queen is fully aware of the political situation in the country, but according to established tradition, the monarchy is above this and does not influence political battles, maintaining neutrality.
She and Prince Philip celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Despite some ups and downs and scandals within the royal family, the loudest of which was the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and the tragic death of Diana subsequently, the current queen today is not only a symbol of the British crown, but also a loving and beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of numerous royal offspring .
Looking from the outside, we can say that life and fate were more than kind to her.
When Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 90th birthday, she became not only the oldest monarch in the world, but also the longest-reigning head of state in British history. She comes from the Windsor dynasty and, in addition to her native island, is recognized as queen in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas and eight other small countries. The reign of Elizabeth Alexandra Maria saw the final collapse of the British Empire and the withdrawal of the colonies from English rule. Despite quite impressive criticism, Elizabeth II is quite a popular person in her native country.
She was born on April 21, 1926 in the family of the future king, and. The girl received her name in honor of her mother, but the princess’s full name is also made up of the names of her grandmother and great-grandmother. The queen's zodiac sign is Taurus. Elizabeth II had a sister, who was born four years after her, but died at the age of 72.
The first title in the biography of Elizabeth II appeared immediately after birth: the girl was named Princess of York. At that time, her father and uncle Edward VIII stood in front of her on the path to the throne, as did any boy who could theoretically be born to each of the candidates for the throne. The uncle initially became king, but less than a year later he lost the title to his brother.
Elizabeth II and her parents move to a luxurious castle - Buckingham Palace, where they spend their childhood and youth. Elizabeth II studied at home, but received an excellent humanities education. She studied art, religion, law, and specifically the British Constitution at a high level. Elizabeth II is fluent in French and is believed to have learned it on her own.
For the first time, Elizabeth II addressed her future subjects at the age of 13. During World War II, she appeared on the radio and expressed support for children who were affected by the bombing. At the age of 16, the girl already independently appears in public, and a year later she becomes a state adviser and joins the women's self-defense unit. The princess learned to drive an ambulance, received training as a mechanic, and rose to the rank of lieutenant. She is the only head of state who served in real life in that war.
Governing body
On the day of her coming of age, Elizabeth II officially promised the British Empire to devote her life to serving people, although at that time her inheritance of the crown was still in doubt. After the death of her father George VI, on February 6, 1952, Elizabeth II was proclaimed Queen. It is curious that the coronation of the girl was broadcast on television for the first time in history and many believe that this event gave a sharp impetus to the popularity of this media in Britain.
At the time of Queen Elizabeth's ascension to the throne, the ruler's possessions were much wider than they are today. The empire then included South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon, which later abolished British rule. Interestingly, Elizabeth II visited each country almost immediately, becoming the first monarch to visit Australia and New Zealand.
By tradition, Queen Elizabeth II has virtually no influence on the governance of the country. A woman’s task is to represent the country at international summits and maintain the authority of the British monarchy. Throughout her entire tenure on the throne, Elizabeth II maintains correct relations with all prime ministers. And although she is above the political fray and does not publicly express her own political opinions, statesmen consider it important to consult with her on many issues. She valued the queen's opinion, which she wrote about in her memoirs.
During her long reign over Great Britain, Elizabeth received both praise and harsh criticism. But both the queen's supporters and opponents emphasize the queen's humanity. The events of 1986 are an indicative fact. Elizabeth II was sailing on her yacht Britannia to one of her subject countries when she learned of the outbreak of civil war in Yemen. She immediately ordered a change of course and take on board as many ordinary people as possible. Thanks to the direct assistance of Queen Elizabeth II of England, over a thousand people were evacuated.
In 2015, "Canada's sexiest politician" visited Buckingham Palace. Then the Queen noted that the meeting with the Prime Minister was a unique occasion, because the last time they saw each other was 40 years ago: Justin’s father took him to see Elizabeth II when the boy was 3 years old. At the meeting, the Queen noted: “Nice to see you again, but under different circumstances.”. To which the politician retorted: “The last time we met, you were much taller.”.
Today, the queen’s height is 152 cm and her weight is 55 kg.
Personal life
Elizabeth II's personal life changed immediately after coming of age. The princess married a British naval officer, who after the wedding received the title Duke of Edinburgh. The husband of Elizabeth 2 is a descendant of Queen Victoria and a scion of the Greek and Danish royal dynasties. They met when the future Queen Elizabeth II was eight years old, and the romantic relationship between the lovers began in 1939, when the princess visited the naval college, where young Philip was then studying.
Wedding of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband had four children: Anne, Andrew and Edward. The last two were born after their mother’s accession to the British throne. The family tree of the British royal family continues to grow: children have long since acquired their own families and presented the reigning queen with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the family of Elizabeth II there was and, the first wife of Prince Charles and the mother of and. One of the strongest waves of criticism swept over Elizabeth II when she reacted with obvious delay to a car accident.
Queen Elizabeth II's favorite hobbies are breeding purebred dogs and horse riding. As she grew older, she replaced horses with cars and even today gets behind the wheel herself. By the way, the Queen does not have a driver's license. Even in her old age, Elizabeth II became interested in gardening. She is considered one of the world's most traveled heads of state and has already visited over 130 countries. The personality of Elizabeth II attracts attention and motivates creative people to create works of art. There are many lifetime monuments and sculptures of Elizabeth II. In honor of the queen, bridges and buildings are built, parks and alleys are laid out, stamps and coins are issued, and a variety of roses is even named after the monarch.
Elizabeth II often becomes a character in films. The queen was portrayed on screen, along with a dozen other actresses. And once Queen Elizabeth II herself starred in a promotional video for the opening of the London 2012 Olympics. Together with the actor who portrayed her, she flies to the Olympic Stadium by helicopter and “jumps” with a parachute. For this role, the 87-year-old Queen of Great Britain was awarded the BAFTA film award for best actress.
Royals are prohibited from maintaining social media accounts. However, the royal family has a person who monitors their official " Instagram" And " Twitter", where he posts photos and recordings with the permission of the highest authorities.
It is known that a whole team works on the queen's wardrobe. Experts suggest that Elizabeth's favorite color is blue. It was in clothes of this shade that the woman most often appeared in public. This may be due to the fact that Elizabeth II's eye color is blue. Designers have always noted the elegance and refined taste of the monarch.
Despite her age, Elizabeth II prefers to go without makeup and usually only uses lipstick. The woman puts on her makeup herself.
The Queen has a collection of hats. Elizabeth has more than 5,000 of these hats in her arsenal. Moreover, the monarch appeared in public in each of them.
In 2016, for the Queen's 90th birthday, a documentary film about Elizabeth II was released. Director John Bridcut was allowed to look into the personal video chronicle of the royal family.
Elizabeth II now
In January 2017, subjects were worried about the health of the ruler. Elizabeth II became very ill: the woman was struck down by a cold. For this reason, the Queen missed the Christmas and New Year's services.
In June, the monarch gave a speech from the throne in parliament. Elizabeth II presented the government program for the next two years.
In September, Elizabeth II said she plans to wait for someone other than “Mr. Putin” to rule Russia. According to the British monarch, he has lost touch with reality and there is nothing to talk about with him. The woman is sure that the time will come when Russians will again look at the British with aspiration.
In December, the Queen took part in a hunt at her country residence Sandringham. Sources reported that when the dog brought a wounded pheasant to the monarch’s feet, Elizabeth II was not at a loss and finished off the bird with a cane.
In November 2017, it became known that Prince William's brother, Harry, was officially engaged to the actress. The lovers were scheduled for May 19, 2018. However, Queen Elizabeth II did not give her consent to the marriage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for a long time, and according to the law regulating royal marriages, before the celebration, the monarch must give official written permission to marry. And only a week before the wedding, Buckingham Palace published the consent of the British queen. The public was sure that Elizabeth would not approve of Harry’s union with a former actress who had previously been married.
And on May 19, 2018, the whole world watched the royal celebration. 600 guests were invited to the wedding, among whom were, with his wife and others. During the wedding, the queen did not show joyful emotions and never smiled. After the ceremony, Meghan was given the title of Duchess of Sussex.
Now the British public is waiting for Markle to announce her pregnancy and give Prince Harry an heir. The press periodically reports facts that confirm that spouses are striving to have offspring.
In February, the queen rented a plot in the center of Kyiv. The media were tormented by guesses why Elizabeth II needed land in Ukraine. It turned out that the embassies of Canada and Australia, which are members of the British Commonwealth and recognize the authority of the British crown, are located on this site.
On June 18, Elizabeth II attended the traditional ceremony for presenting the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain.
On June 19, an important public event started - the royal races at Ascot. Her Majesty attended this event.
That same month, the Queen's cousin Ivar Mountbatten announced that he planned to marry boyfriend James Coyle. Two years ago, a man caused a real stir in the family when he announced his non-traditional sexual orientation. Until 2011, Ivar was married to a woman named Penelope Thomson. In this marriage, the couple had three children. Ivar's ex-wife knew about her husband's inclinations and supported him. It will be Penny who will lead Ivar to the altar. The woman immediately found a common language with Mountbatten’s lover. This will be the first same-sex marriage in the royal family.
The Queen is scheduled to meet with the President of the United States on July 13, 2018. The working visit of the American leader will take place at Windsor Castle. In addition to meeting with Elizabeth, the president plans to spend several hours with the British Prime Minister.
Scandals
A loud scandal occurred in the 90s associated with Prince Charles. As you know, the man married Diana Spencer, who fell in love with the royal family and the British public, but all his life the queen’s son loved Camilla Shand. However, the monarchs were against their son’s marriage to a rootless girl, so she also quickly found a gentleman. But meetings with the prince did not stop. Diana knew about her husband's infidelities. William and Harry's mother tried to save the marriage, but it didn't work out. In 1992, recordings of a telephone conversation between Charles and Camilla were presented to the public. The words that the lovers spoke to each other made the royals’ ears “sag.”
Diana then became furious. As a result, the marriage turned into a war that ended in divorce.
After the tragic death of Princess Diana, those who blamed Prince Charles for what happened appeared. We went, and this happened not without the participation of Elizabeth II.
They also said that Prince Philip, the queen's husband, cheated on his wife many times. The woman did not comment on such statements.
In 2012, there was a scandal associated with the name of Prince William and. The future parents of George, Charlotte and Louis were vacationing in a private villa in France. The couple thought that they were alone on the beach, and calmly walked there, either in swimsuits or without any clothes at all. At this moment, the husband and wife were caught by the paparazzi lens.
At one time, the Queen’s sister Margaret “shone” in the center of gossip columns. In her youth, the girl was not allowed to marry for love, and she began to often visit dubious establishments. It was rumored that the ruler's closest relative was addicted to cocaine. Then she married an unloved man, whom she left after 18 years. During and after marriage, the woman did not give up pleasure walks. As a result, Margaret ended her life unhappy in a wheelchair.
The press wrote that Elizabeth II could help her sister and approve a bill that would allow her to marry her loved one. But this did not happen.
Once the queen was even buried. This happened live on the BBC channel. Then presenter Danny Kelly announced the death of the monarch. Later, the management of the television and radio corporation had to make an official apology to the royal family.
In 2016, there were rumors that the Queen was planning to abdicate in favor of Prince William and Kate Middleton, bypassing Prince Charles. But the rumors remained rumors.
On January 20, 1961, he ascended to the presidency of the United States. Four months later, the man and his wife met with the queen. The couple was invited to dinner. John came to visit Elizabeth II with a gift: the man presented the monarch with his photographic portrait. Historians wonder what the newly minted US president was trying to demonstrate with such a gesture. Elizabeth was surprised, but accepted the gift.
Jacqueline admitted that she was very worried before meeting the queen, but she warmly greeted the president’s wife and, so that she would calm down, showed the first lady a collection of works of art. Nine months later, Jacqueline Kennedy visited the Queen again, alone. And I was delighted with the visit. Six months later, the woman planned to host Elizabeth II, but when it turned out that the queen was pregnant, the meeting was postponed.
On April 12, 1961, a Soviet pilot-cosmonaut made his first flight into space. As a result, the young man turned into a world celebrity. Yuri Alekseevich was invited by foreign governments and organizations, including Great Britain. As a result, the queen herself wanted to talk to Gagarin, inviting the man for breakfast. Contrary to protocol, Elizabeth II sat the astronaut next to her and asked questions. Those present noted that the atmosphere in the hall was relaxed.
Queen Elizabeth II is the only UK resident who does not have a passport.
Interestingly, no one except the husband has the right to touch the Queen in public. And Elizabeth the Second never raises her voice or gives interviews.
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth II), full name - Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary). Born 21 April 1926 in London. Queen of Great Britain since 1952.
She ascended the throne on February 6, 1952, at the age of twenty-five, following the death of her father, King George VI.
Is among all monarchs in British history.
The oldest British (English) monarch in history.
She also ranks second in the world for the longest tenure as head of state among all current heads of state (after King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand). She is the oldest female sitting head of state in the world, and the oldest sitting head of state in Europe.
He is the oldest sitting monarch in the world since January 24, 2015, after the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
Comes from the Windsor dynasty.
She is the head of the British Commonwealth of Nations and, in addition to Great Britain, the queen of fifteen independent states: Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Jamaica.
He is also the head of the Church of England and the Supreme Commander of the British Armed Forces.
Queen of Great Britain
Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London's Mayfair at the Earl of Strathmore's residence at No. 17 Brewton Street. The area has now been rebuilt and the house no longer exists, but there is a memorial plaque on the site. She received her name in honor of her mother (Elizabeth), grandmother (Maria) and great-grandmother (Alexandra).
At the same time, the father insisted that his daughter’s first name be like the duchess. At first they wanted to give the girl the name Victoria, but then they changed their minds. George V remarked: “Bertie was discussing the girl's name with me. He named three names: Elizabeth, Alexandra and Maria. The names are all good, that’s what I told him, but about Victoria I absolutely agree with him. It was unnecessary".
Princess Elizabeth's christening took place on May 25 in the chapel at Buckingham Palace, which was later destroyed during the war.
In 1930, Elizabeth's only sister, Princess Margaret, was born.
She received a good education at home, mainly of a humanitarian nature - she studied the history of the constitution, jurisprudence, religious studies, art history, and also (virtually independently) the French language.
From a young age she was interested in horses and practiced horse riding. She has been faithful to this hobby for many decades.
At birth, Elizabeth became Princess of York and was third in the line of succession to the throne after her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII) and her father. Because Prince Edward was quite young and expected to marry and have children, Elizabeth was not initially considered a viable candidate for the throne.
However, Edward was forced to abdicate eleven months after the death of George V in 1936. Prince Albert (George VI) became king, and 10-year-old Elizabeth became heir to the throne and moved with her parents from Kensington to Buckingham Palace. At the same time, she remained in the role "heir presumptive"(“heir presumptive”), and if George VI had a son, he would inherit the throne.
World War II began when Elizabeth was 13 years old.
On October 13, 1940, she spoke on the radio for the first time - with an appeal to children affected by the disasters of war.
In 1943, her first independent appearance in public took place - a visit to the regiment of Guards Grenadiers.
In 1944, she became one of the five "councilors of state" (persons authorized to perform the functions of the king in the event of his absence or incapacity).
In February 1945, Elizaveta joined the “Auxiliary Territorial Service” - women's self-defense units - and was trained as an ambulance driver, receiving the military rank of lieutenant. Her military service lasted five months, which gives reason to consider her the last not yet retired participant in the Second World War (the second to last was Pope Benedict XVI, who served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the German armed forces).
In 1947, Elizabeth accompanied her parents on a trip to South Africa and, on her 21st birthday, made a solemn announcement on the radio to dedicate her life to the service of the British Empire.
King George VI, Elizabeth's father, died on February 6, 1952. Elizabeth, who was on holiday in Kenya at the time with her husband, was proclaimed Queen of Great Britain.
The coronation ceremony of Elizabeth II took place in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. It was the first televised coronation of a British monarch, and the event is credited with significantly boosting the popularity of television broadcasting.
Coronation of Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II's full title in Great Britain is: "Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and her other kingdoms and territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".
After that, in 1953-1954. The queen made a six-month tour of the Commonwealth states, British colonies and other countries of the world.
Elizabeth II became the first monarch to visit Australia and New Zealand.
In 1957, after the resignation of Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, due to the lack of clear rules for choosing a leader in the Conservative Party, Elizabeth II had to appoint a new head of government from among the Conservatives. After consultations with prominent party members and ex-Prime Minister Churchill, 63-year-old Harold Macmillan was appointed head of government.
In the same year, Elizabeth made her first visits to the United States and Canada as Queen of Canada. She also spoke for the first time at a session of the UN General Assembly. She was present at the opening of the session of the Canadian Parliament (for the first time in history with the participation of the British monarch). She continued her travels in 1961, when she made visits to Cyprus, the Vatican, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Iran, and Ghana.
In 1963, after the resignation of Prime Minister Macmillan, on his advice, Elizabeth appointed Alexander Douglas-Home as Prime Minister.
In 1976, Elizabeth II inaugurated (as Queen of Canada) the XXI Olympic Games in Montreal.
1977 was an important year for the Queen - the 25th anniversary of Elizabeth II's tenure on the British throne was celebrated, in honor of which many ceremonial enterprises were held in the Commonwealth countries.
Late 1970s - early 1980s a number of assassination attempts were made against the royal family. In particular, in 1979, the Provisional Irish Republican Army terrorists assassinated Prince Philip's uncle (the Queen's husband), an influential statesman and military leader, Lord Louis Mountbatten. And in 1981, there was an unsuccessful attempt on the life of Elizabeth II herself during a military parade in honor of the queen’s “official birthday.”
In 1981, the wedding of Elizabeth II's son Prince Charles took place, which would later become a big problem for the royal family.
At this time in 1982, as a result of changes to the Canadian Constitution, the British Parliament lost any role in Canadian affairs, but the British Queen still remained the head of state of Canada. In the same year, the first visit of Pope John Paul II to Great Britain in the last 450 years took place (the Queen, who is the head of the Anglican Church, received him personally).
In 1991, Elizabeth became the first British monarch to address a joint session of the US Congress.
1992 was a “terrible year,” according to Elizabeth II herself. Two of the Queen's four children - Prince Andrew and Princess Anne - divorced their spouses, Prince Charles separated from Princess Diana, Windsor Castle was badly damaged by fire, the Queen was required to pay income tax, and funding for the royal household was significantly reduced.
In 1996, at the insistence of the Queen, an official divorce was signed between Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
A year later, in 1997, Princess Diana died tragically in a car accident in Paris, which shocked not only the royal family, but also millions of ordinary Britons. For her restraint and lack of any reaction to the death of her former daughter-in-law, the queen immediately received criticism.
In 2002, ceremonial events were held in honor of the 50th anniversary of Elizabeth II on the British throne (Golden Jubilee). But in the same year, the queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, and the queen mother, Queen Elizabeth, died.
In 2008, for the first time in history, the Anglican Church, of which Elizabeth is the head, held a service on Maundy Thursday, which traditionally involves the reigning monarch, outside of England or Wales - in St. Patrick's in Armagh in Northern Ireland.
In 2010, she spoke for the second time at a meeting of the UN General Assembly. Introducing the Queen, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called her "the saving anchor of our era."
In 2011, the first ever state visit of a British monarch to independent Ireland took place. In the same year, the wedding of Prince William (grandson of Elizabeth II) and Catherine Middleton took place.
In 2012, the XXX Olympic Games were held in London, inaugurated by Elizabeth II, and a new law was approved changing the order of succession to the throne, according to which male heirs lose priority over women.
In 2012, the 60th (“diamond”) anniversary of Elizabeth II’s tenure on the throne was solemnly celebrated in Great Britain and other countries. On June 3, a solemn water parade of more than a thousand ships and boats took place on the Thames. It is believed that this is the most grandiose river procession in history. On June 4, 2012, a concert took place on the square in front of Buckingham Palace with the participation of such stars of British and world music as Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Cliff Richard, Elton John, Grace Jones, Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, Tom Jones and others. The organizer of the evening was Take That lead singer Gary Barlow.
In 2013, Elizabeth II, for the first time in 40 years, refused to go to the summit of the heads of the British Commonwealth countries, held in Sri Lanka. Britain was represented at the summit by Prince Charles, indicating the gradual transfer of Elizabeth's powers to her son.
The Queen's interests include breeding dogs (including corgis, spaniels and Labradors), photography, horse riding, and travel. Elizabeth II, maintaining her prestige as Queen of the Commonwealth, travels very actively throughout her possessions, and also visits other countries of the world: she has made more than 325 foreign visits.
I started gardening in 2009.
In addition to English, he is also fluent in French.
Elizabeth II's height: 163 centimeters
Personal life of Elizabeth II:
In 1947, at the age of 21, she married 26-year-old Philip Mountbatten (born June 10, 1921), a British naval officer, a member of the Greek (son of Prince Andrew of Greece) and Danish royal families and great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria.
They met in 1934, and fell in love, it is believed, after Elizabeth visited the Naval College at Dartmouth in 1939, where Philip studied.
Having become the princess's husband, Philip received the title Duke of Edinburgh.
A year after the wedding - in 1948 - Elizabeth and Philip had their eldest son. And on August 15, 1950 - daughter, Princess Anne.
Elizabeth II and Philip Mountbatten
In 1960, the Queen gave birth to her second son, Prince Andrew. In 1964, she gave birth to her third son, Prince Edward.
Children of Elizabeth II:
Born November 14, 1948. On 29 July 1981 he married Lady Diana Spencer. On August 28, 1996, the couple filed for divorce. They had two sons: the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Wales.
Prince William, married to , has two children: Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.
Princess Anne, “Princess Royal” - born August 15, 1950. She was married to Mark Phillips from November 14, 1973 to April 28, 1992 (divorced). The couple had two children: Peter Phillips and Zara Phillips.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York- born February 19, 1960. He was married to Sarah Ferguson from July 23, 1986 to May 30, 1996 (divorced). The couple had two daughters: Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie (Eugenia) of York.
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex- born March 10, 1964. Married to Sophie Rhys-Jones (wedding on June 19, 1999). The couple have two children: Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
The role of Elizabeth II in the political and social life of Great Britain:
In accordance with the British tradition of parliamentary monarchy, Elizabeth II performs mainly representative functions, having virtually no influence on the governance of the country. However, during her reign she successfully maintained the authority of the British monarchy. Her duties include visiting various countries on diplomatic visits, receiving ambassadors, meeting with high-ranking government officials (especially the Prime Minister), reading annual messages to parliament, presenting awards, knighting, etc.
The Queen also looks through the main British newspapers every day and, with the help of servants, responds to some letters that are sent to her in huge quantities (200-300 pieces daily).
Throughout her time on the throne, the Queen maintained correct relations with all prime ministers. At the same time, she always remained faithful to the tradition of English kings of modern times - to remain above political battles. As a constitutional monarch, Elizabeth II should not publicly express her political likes or dislikes. She has always followed this rule, acting non-publicly - therefore her political views remain unknown.
Three times during her reign, the Queen had constitutional problems with the formation of the British government.
In 1957 and 1963, in the absence of a clear mechanism for electing a leader in the Conservative Party, it was the Queen who had to decide who to entrust the formation of the government after the resignations of Anthony Eden and Harold Macmillan.
In 1957, Anthony Eden refused to advise the Queen on who to appoint as his successor, and she sought advice from, as the only living Conservative Prime Minister at the time (following the precedent that, after the resignation of Andrew Bonar Law in 1923, King George V was consulted with Lord Salisbury's father and former Prime Minister Arthur Balfour).
In 1963, Harold Macmillan himself advised the appointment of Alec Douglas-Home as his successor. And in 1974, after the resignation of Edward Heath as a result of an unclear election outcome, Elizabeth II appointed opposition leader Harold Wilson as prime minister.
In all these cases, the Queen acted according to the British constitutional tradition that she should not make any important decisions without the advice of her ministers and privy councilors.
In addition, British prime ministers meet with the Queen every week. The Queen is more knowledgeable on most matters than she appears at first glance. In addition, the Queen has regular meetings with other Commonwealth ministers and premiers when they are visiting the UK. Also, during her stay in Scotland, she meets with the First Minister of Scotland. The Ministry and British diplomatic missions send her regular reports.
Although it is customary that the Queen does not interfere in politics, due to the fact that during her long reign she had the opportunity to work with many prime ministers and leaders of other countries, her advice is always taken seriously. In her memoirs she wrote about her weekly meetings with Queen Elizabeth: "Anyone who thinks that they [meetings] are a mere formality or a social convention is deeply mistaken. In fact, they take place in a calm business atmosphere, and Her Majesty always demonstrates her ability to cover a wide range of issues and her wide experience.".
Elizabeth II is actively involved in charity and social activities. The Queen of Britain is a trustee of more than 600 different public and charitable organizations.
In addition to her duties, Elizabeth II also has certain inalienable rights as a monarch (royal prerogatives). For example, she can dissolve parliament, reject a candidate for prime minister (who seems unsuitable to her), and so on.
Financial costs for the queen:
Thus, according to data from Buckingham Palace, in the 2008-2009 financial year, each Briton spent 1 dollar 14 cents on the maintenance of the monarchy, which amounted to a total of $68.5 million.
In 2010-2011, due to the government's new economic program, the Queen was forced to reduce her spending to $51.7 million.
Starting in 2012, Elizabeth’s income began to grow again (at an approximate rate of 5% per year).
Such figures cause dissatisfaction among the republican-minded part of the British population, which considers it necessary to cut them.
States whose head was or is Elizabeth II:
Upon her accession to the throne in 1952, Elizabeth became queen of seven states: Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon.
During her reign, some of these countries became republics. At the same time, as a result of the decolonization process, numerous British colonies gained independence. In some of them, the Queen of Great Britain retained the status of head of state, in others - not.
Abolition of the monarchy in the original dominions of Elizabeth II:
Pakistan - in 1956 (formerly Dominion of Pakistan)
South Africa - in 1961 (formerly South Africa)
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) - in 1972 (former Dominion of Ceylon).
Newly independent states that retained the monarchy:
Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Grenada
Papua New Guinea
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Solomon islands
Tuvalu
Jamaica
Newly independent states that abandoned the monarchy:
Guyana
Gambia
Ghana
Kenya
Mauritius
Malawi
Malta
Nigeria
Sierra Leone
Tanganyika
Trinidad and Tobago
Uganda
Fiji
Children's question: “What is the name of the queen’s husband?” does not always have an obvious answer: “King!”
The man who has occupied a seat next to Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain for decades does not wear a royal crown. At the same time, the queen meekly endures her husband’s rather rude jokes. Once, irritated by criticism of his driving style, Elizabeth’s husband dropped the queen off in the middle of the road, driving off alone.
Duke of Edinburgh (future Prince Philip), 1948. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Despite such antics, Elizabeth always emphasized that her husband was her main support in life.
Prince Philip, now the Duke of Edinburgh, was born on June 10, 1921 on the Greek island of Corfu into the family Prince Andrew. On the Greek throne at that moment was King Constantine, the nephew of the newborn, who replaced Philip’s grandfather, who was killed by an anarchist George I.
Philip was only a year old when representatives of the ruling Glucksburg dynasty in Greece were expelled from the country. The little prince's family settled in Paris, but a rift began between the parents. Philip was sent to London at the age of six, entrusting his upbringing and education to the care of relatives there.
The passion of the heir to the throne
Philip's relatives were so scattered throughout Europe that during World War II they found themselves in countries at war with each other.
In 1939, Philip began his studies at the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. Once the educational institution was visited by King George VI and his daughters Elizabeth And Margaret. The girls paid attention to the tall, handsome cadet. Philip was their relative, but rather distant - a fourth cousin. Margaret soon noticed that Elizabeth somehow remembered Philip too often, suspecting that her sister had fallen in love. And so it turned out - the heir to the British crown lost her head because of a Greek prince expelled from his own homeland.Parents were calm about the correspondence between Philip and Elizabeth - the girl was only 14 years old, and they believed that the hobby would pass.
After completing his training, Philip became a midshipman in the British Navy, serving throughout the Second World War, ending it with the rank of first lieutenant. He took part in military operations, in particular in providing sea cover for the British-American troops that landed in Sicily in the summer of 1943.
After the war, it became obvious that the romance between Elizabeth and Philip not only did not end, but turned into a serious relationship. In 1946, Philip asked the king for permission to marry the heir to the throne.
Wedding of Elizabeth II and Philip of Edinburgh. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
For the sake of marriage, the groom changed his faith
Consent was given, but first Philip had to renounce the titles “Prince of Greece” and “Prince of Denmark” given to him at birth, and also accept British citizenship. In addition, for the sake of marriage, Philip converted from Greek Orthodoxy to Anglicanism, and also took the surname Mountbatten (Mountbatten) (an anglicized version of his mother's surname - Battenberg).
In exchange for his previous titles, the groom received from his future father-in-law the titles of Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron of Greenwich.
On November 20, 1947, the wedding of Elizabeth and Philip took place. According to the terms of the marriage, Philip, upon his wife’s accession to the throne, was to become a prince consort, that is, the queen’s husband, who had no rights to power. Although de facto Prince Consort, Philip never formally accepted him.After marriage, Philip continued to serve in the navy, and his wife performed the duties of an exemplary officer's wife. In the first years of marriage, the couple had two children: Charles and Anna.
This life suited both of them, but it could not last long. Elizabeth, as heir to the throne, needed to participate in official ceremonies and events. In 1951, Philip completed his service with the rank of lieutenant commander. A year later he was promoted to commander, and then only official ranks were awarded to him.
With newborn Princess Anne, 1950. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Eternal companion
Philip's life finally changed in 1952, when, after the death of George VI, Elizabeth became Queen of Great Britain. From then on, he turned into his wife’s companion, whom he was obliged to accompany at all events and on trips abroad.
Philip was actively involved in charity work, being a patron of about 800 different organizations. Over the years, he headed the World Wildlife Fund and the International Equestrian Federation. Horses have been one of Philip's lifelong hobbies. In addition, yachts and firearms are considered the weakness of Elizabeth’s husband.
Accompanying his wife, Philip visited dozens of countries, and a year he participated in more than 350 events and ceremonies. The prince reduced this intensity only after he turned 90 in 2011.
At the very beginning of the article, we mentioned the story of how an angry husband kicked the queen out of the car. Philip is indeed very different in character from his wife. A difficult childhood and service in the navy affected his character. Elizabeth's husband can be straightforward to the point of tactlessness and loves crude humor. Journalists found out that in his youth Philip called his wife “sausage”, and then found another “compliment” for her - “my cabbage”.
The always balanced and calm queen is sometimes enraged by her husband with hints of her extremely advanced age (Philip himself seems to live by the principle “my years are my wealth”).
On a walk with Prince Charles and Princess Anne, 1951. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Deity of the Vanuatu archipelago
Perhaps for Philip initially this was a kind of defensive reaction to his status - brought up in conservative traditions, he felt awkward in the role of a wingman with his wife taking the throne. Elizabeth, realizing this, tried all her life not to hurt her husband’s pride.
Once at a reception, one of the guests, rather tactlessly, began to complain that his wife received her doctorate, having achieved more in life than he had. Philip, looking carefully at his interlocutor, remarked: “You know, we have similar problems in our family.”
However, it’s a shame for the Duke of Edinburgh to complain. Few people in the world manage to become a recognized reincarnation of a powerful spirit, and the inhabitants of one of the islands of the Vanuatu archipelago perceived Philip this way. It is not known exactly where the cult came from, but the fact is that Elizabeth’s husband is perceived by local residents as a deity.What Philip cannot stand is quarrels and scandals in the family. When the eldest son Charles was at odds with Princess Diana, the Duke of Edinburgh tried to reason with one or the other, but was unsuccessful.
After Diana's death, it was Philip who took it upon himself to help his grandchildren William And Harry who lost their mother. The grandfather turned out to be a good psychologist and managed to help the guys get through the most difficult days.
Princess Diana with Princes Harry and William. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
“Dukes happened to marry chorus girls. Some even married American women.”
Political correctness is definitely not one of the Duke of Edinburgh's benefactors. During his life, he made a lot of tactless and careless statements. It seems that this is precisely why the British love him.
Who else, going on a visit to China, could tell British students studying in this country: “Don’t stay here too long, otherwise your eyes will become narrow.”
Philip, a member of the family of the last Russian emperor, said in 1967: “I would really like to visit Russia, although the bastards killed half of my family there.” And six years after that, he became the first member of the British royal family to visit the USSR.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of Edinburgh. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Exactly thirty years after the words about the “bastards,” Philip “delighted” the German audience by addressing the German Chancellor Helmut Kohl with the words: “Dear Reich Chancellor!” It should be said that the last Reich Chancellor of Germany was Adolf Gitler.
Three years later, the Duke of Edinburgh “took a tour” of the Americans: “Many people think that we have a rigid class system, but dukes have also happened to marry chorus girls. Some even married American women.”
To the President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, who came to the meeting in a national costume, Philip said: “It looks like you are ready to go to bed!” Well, what can you do if the president’s outfit seemed like pajamas to the husband of Elizabeth II.
It is too late for the Duke of Edinburgh to change the habits and manners acquired over 95 years of life. However, neither the Queen nor the whole of Great Britain have caused protest for a long time. This Greek guy from the island of Corfu has long become closer and dearer to the British than some of the indigenous inhabitants of Foggy Albion.
If all goes well, then in less than a year and a half, Philip and Elizabeth will celebrate the 70th anniversary of their marriage. On this occasion, the Duke of Edinburgh will definitely make one of his signature jokes about his wife. Well, whoever, he definitely has the right to do this.
- © www.globallookpress.com / Queen Elizabeth with Princess Elizabeth. 1926
- © www.globallookpress.com / Elizabeth in 1929.
- © www.globallookpress.com / Queen Elizabeth with Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. 1933
- © www.globallookpress.com / Queen Elizabeth with Princess Elizabeth. 1937
- © www.globallookpress.com / Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. 1927
- © www.globallookpress.com / Elizabeth in 1955.
© www.globallookpress.com / Queen Elizabeth with her family. 1951
© www.globallookpress.com / The Queen in 1954.
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