Prince Philip: Still Getting On After 93 Years

     What can one say about Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh?

     Well, he has certainly led an unusual and quite interesting life, even as a member of the British Royal Family.

Still living a remarkable life.
Image Credit: University of Salford Press Office via Flickr cc

     Born into a Greek Royal Family on the run from revolutionaries, Philip's childhood was chaotic and full of uncertainty. Eventually, the family became impoverished and broke up as Philip's older sister's were married off in quick succession, his father took to a mistress in the South of France, and his mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia and committed to a sanatorium. Philip himself shifted around to live in France, Britain, and Germany. He was educated at several schools, and was reliant on his royal/noble connections for shelter, food, and some sense of security.

     If this sounds like the type of upbringing that produces a child with developmental and social issues, it certainly did not manifest itself in Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. If it did have a negative effect, he certainly did not show it and just got on with his life.

     Now at the age of 93, it can certainly be said getting on with life and not making a fuss about things is central to how Philip has conducted himself over the years.

     From that difficult childhood, he made his way into the Royal Navy, where he excelled as a cadet at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. Soon after that, he served as an officer during World War II. He saw action in the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters, was mentioned in despatches, and was present in Tokyo Bay for the unconditional surrender of Japan.

The Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, where
Philip began a career in the Navy and met his future wife.
Image Credit: Andrew Yong via Wikimedia Commons cc

     The sailor prince then got married to Princess Elizabeth, the heiress presumptive of George VI, after a courtship that had lasted for nearly eight years, and they soon began to have a family of their own. Prince Charles was born in 1948 and Princess Anne followed in 1950. It was expected that the young couple would not have to worry about Elizabeth's succession, allowing them to raise their children and for Philip to have a full career in the Royal Navy - rising through its ranks and eventually becoming First Sea Lord.

     But it was not to be. Within five years of their marriage, George VI passed away and his daughter was now Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. This effectively ended Philip's naval career because he was now a consort and expected to be at his wife's side to support her in carrying out her duties and responsibilities as Sovereign.

     Once again however, Philip put his personal feelings and desires aside. He looked forward to that naval career, but as ever, he simply got on with life - not only supporting the Queen, but also carving out his own existence. In the last 62 years, he has become patron of several hundred organizations, and has also created new ones - most notably and successfully, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which now has an international scope in helping young people to unlock and achieve their full potential.

In the shadow of the Queen.
Image Credit: West Midlands Police via Flickr cc

     But day in and day out, he has been an unflinching supporter of the Queen, dutifully walking two paces behind her.

     Over time, he was developed a reputation for speaking his mind - sometimes making what are referred to as gaffe's which at times have caused headaches for the Palace staff because of the perceived insensitivity and outright bluntness of some comments, such as appearing to complain on television (Meet the Press) that he might have to give up polo if the Royal finances went into the red during the 1960's and telling a President of Nigeria who was wearing traditional robes: "You look like you're ready for bed!"

     But Philip's risque tongue has endeared him with sections of public who see him as being himself and not always sticking to what his politically correct, and the Duke himself has taken criticism in stride - joking that the Queen has "tolerance in abundance" with regard to his statements over the years.

The Duke and the Queen preparing to attend the State Opening of Parliament in 2009.
Image Credit: Grahamedown (Public Domain)

     Again perhaps, this is an example of the Duke shrugging off problems and just getting on with life. 

     He certainly appears to be well these days and looks sprightly for a man of 93, but there are concerns that his age and health have been catching up with him over the last couple of years. 

     Philip was hospitalized during the Christmas holiday of 2011 at the family's winter estate of Sandringham in Norfolk, England after suffering from chest pains, and underwent a successful coronary angioplasty and stenting.

     During the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend, he was hospitalized for a bladder infection, which may have resulted from him standing on the royal barge during the Thames River Pageant for over four straight hours in the cold and rain. The infection reoccurred during the summer holiday at Balmoral in Scotland, and he was hospitalized again as a precautionary measure.

     In June of last year, after having attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace and just days after commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation, he admitted himself to the London Clinic for what Buckingham Palace called a pre-planned “exploratory surgery” in his abdominal region. He spent eleven days there, celebrating his 92nd birthday and missing the Trooping the Colour ceremony for the Queen’s Official Birthday. Philip was then discharged from the clinic to recuperate, first at Windsor Castle and then at Sandringham. During that period, his third great-grandchild (and first great-grandson) Prince George was born.

66 years of marriage, and they are still going strong.
Image Credit: Carfax2 via Wikimedia Commons cc

     Given these recent health issues at his age, there have been suggestions that perhaps Philip should reduce his public activities and engagements. 

     But at 93, he his getting around as good – if not better – as anybody at that age, and he would probably be the first to say that nobody ought to be making a fuss over his health. Like most things in his life – such as being constantly moved around Europe throughout his childhood and not having a permanent home life – Philip shrugs off such concerns in part because he realizes that life is life and that there are certain things that are out of one’s hands. Therefore, one ought not to worry about it and carry on as usual, which is what Philip has done after his recent health scares.

Last year, Prince Philip, as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Regiment, Prince Philip, visited Toronto to present the 3rd Battalion with their Regimental Colors.
Image Credit: Ninian Reid via Flickr cc

     In a 2011 interview commemorating his 90th birthday, the Duke of Edinburgh stated that he was going to begin to slow down and cut back on royal obligations, saying that he felt he done his bit. Nevertheless, he carried out 347 engagements during the Diamond Jubilee year in 2012 – up from 330 in 2011. His number of engagements predictably fell last year because of the “exploratory surgery”, which knocked him out of commission through much of the summer and early fall. 

     But in this year, he has made overseas journeys with the Queen to Italy (where they met Pope Francis for the first time) and more recently to France for a state visit that included commemorations for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

     If nothing else, this demonstrates his commitment and determination to being at his wife’s side as much as possible, to fulfill his duty as her consort, and pursue his own interests and passions. He is now the longest-serving and oldest-ever spouse of a reigning British monarch and it is expected that Philip will continue to do what he can to support the work of the monarchy. 

Six decades of being on duty. An inspiration to us all.
Image Credit: Titanic Belfast via Flickr cc

     He is, in my opinion, one of the monarchy’s most invaluable assets, and is the Queen’s essential partner and companion. In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr for the Diamond Jubilee, Prince Harry said that he did not believe that the Queen could have carried on through the last six decades without Philip. His absence from the Diamond Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving was especially felt, as the Queen walked down the aisle of St. Paul’s Cathedral alone.

     If anything, they now need each other more than ever. Hopefully, the Duke will have many more years ahead of him with good health, so that he may remain the “strength and stay” of the Queen. 

     No wonder he is the Iron Duke.