Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

[joan_d]

Wouldn't he actually be a retired British naval officer? Maybe even an Admiral or such, following in the footsteps of his uncle and grandfather? He was top cadet at Dartmouth and graduated from Portsmouth at the top of 4 of his 5 sections. and seems to have been a talented officer. I don't think he'd be out-of-work or penniless though he certainly wouldn't have the prominence he has now.

Pure speculation as to what the D of E would or wouldn't have been if he hadn't married one of the world's wealthiest women.   However, his entry into Dartmouth and most of the other moves in his life were orchestrated by another hanger-on in the family Windsor - Lord Mountbatten.  There again, it is impossible to say how that man would have faired without his royal connections.

All we can do is look back over D of E's life achievements over an 80 year life time.  I would say when  compared with his forebear, Prince Albert (of whom I am an ardent admirer), he does even come close both as a Consort and as a Father.

[joan_d]

Apologies - should read    "...doesn't even come close."

Prince Albert crammed more into his 42 years than D of E has done in all his 80-odd years.   Just my personal opinion of course.

[Grace]

He is certainly a far most robust fellow than poor Albert was - physically and emotionally.  I doubt the Queen would agree with your views, Joan.  The support Philip has given her through over 60 years of marriage - 57 of those years as her consort - would be beyond the comprehension of most of us.  That was something the Prince Consort was unable to achieve but is outstanding nevertheless, whether or not you like the man himself. 

[joan_d]

D of E certainly lived longer than Prince Albert but I still stand by what I said previously.  I think history will view him as a far less important figure in terms of what has been achieved, apart from walking a few paces behind the Queen in his role as consort.

[grandduchessella]

Wouldn't he actually be a retired British naval officer? Maybe even an Admiral or such, following in the footsteps of his uncle and grandfather? He was top cadet at Dartmouth and graduated from Portsmouth at the top of 4 of his 5 sections. and seems to have been a talented officer. I don't think he'd be out-of-work or penniless though he certainly wouldn't have the prominence he has now.

Pure speculation as to what the D of E would or wouldn't have been if he hadn't married one of the world's wealthiest women.   

I agree it would be speculation. That is why my statement was much less definitive than your own. I just don't agree he would be jobless since he was engaged in a profession up until the time he married the Queen, and even (to a lesser extent) up until the time she became Queen. Whether it was 'orchestrated' or not, it was a job. I'm not a huge Philip fan, and even less so of many royals who just float around on their connections, but I tend to think he would've carved himself out a place had he not married the Queen. The Battenberg/Mountbattens tended to land on their feet.

[Douglas]

People may or may not admire Phillip but he has spent his life taking care of the things that a man can do, like being a father and making decisions about the many residences of the royal family.

This has been a blessing for the Queen, as she can spend her time and energy just being the Queen and not have to worry about staff, trains, planes, cars, estate and household matters.

[TampaBay]

Douglas,

I agree with all you say.  OEII is a better Queen due to Phillip.

TampaBay

[joan_d]

People may or may not admire Phillip but he has spent his life taking care of the things that a man can do, like being a father and making decisions about the many residences of the royal family.

This has been a blessing for the Queen, as she can spend her time and energy just being the Queen and not have to worry about staff, trains, planes, cars, estate and household matters.

That sounds like a man sized job "......being a father (!!!) and making decisions about the many residences of the royal family

Yes I can see D of E has really had it tough !!

[Princess of Cupertino]

D of E certainly lived longer than Prince Albert but I still stand by what I said previously.  I think history will view him as a far less important figure in terms of what has been achieved, apart from walking a few paces behind the Queen in his role as consort.

I think it's a rather unfair comparison. The Prince Consort was QV's personal secretary to an extend. But the DoE was always shunned from that role by QEII's government, for one reason or another. Had he been given the same responsibilities, he could have had more contributions.

60 years of walking a couple steps behind the Queen is no small task either.

[carl fraley]

Don't forget that (and most people always forget) that HRH wasn't just born plain ole Phillip Mountbatten, he was born HRH Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark.  Whether he had married who he married or not, Prince Phillip's character is well known, I feel sure he would have made his way on his own quite well somehow, Uncle Louis or Aunt Louise would have seen or helped see to that.  HRH could have even stayed in Greece maybe.  It's all a big What if.

[joan_d]

It's not really a question of "What If"as that is pure speculation and we will never know.   However, we can look back on the 60 years he has been involved in public life in the UK and ask "What has been his contribution to national life?"  Not a lot in my opinion.

Prince Albert did cram far more into his short life and England is all the better for it.  One only has to walk around South Kensington and see his legacy with the Natural History Museum, V&A etc not to mention the Great Exhibition and a myriad other good works.

Sorry Prince Philip has had a free ride and the British public knows it.   He is not a popular figure here in the UK.

[grandduchessella]

Can't some of this be laid at Elizabeth's feet? Prince Albert wasn't popular during his lifetime and her courtiers certainly didn't want him involved--and he wasn't for many years. Victoria finally pushed through a role for him. Philip has never even been given the Prince Consort title that Albert received. And he has done a lot of work with the environment (UK President of the World Wildlife Fund from 1961, International President from 1986 and President Emeritus from 1996 and participating in the authorship of 7 books as well as several forewards) as well as the usual consort's role as patron of numerous organizations. He still carries out roughly 300 engagements a year--not bad for his age and health and more than any of his children except Anne. If he is unpopular--and not being from the UK I won't comment on that--it probably has more to do with his personality than with the amount of effort he's put forth.

As a side note, I found these tidbits:

--Philip is currently the oldest living great-great grandchild of Queen Victoria, as well as her second-oldest living descendant after Prince Carl Johan of Sweden
--the inhabitants of some small villages in Vanuatu also worship Prince Philip as a god; the islanders possess portraits of the Duke and hold feasts on his birthday.

[joan_d]

I am sorry GD but I feel that in the years to come, his legacy will be quite insignificant considering the long lifetime he has had to do something of merit.

I have always thought it would be interesting to find out what some of the more obsure great-great-grandchildren of QV are doing now.  Without his marriage, I am sure D of E would have been one of those obscure great-great grandchildren.   Sorry but I cannot be convinced about this man.

[Douglas]

I have to agree with Joan concerning the D of E.  Any man of his rank and standing that would make a big hobby of carriage racing has got to be a little bonkers.  Embarrassing.

Even his eldest son the Heir, who is rather outre himself,  contains more gravitas and dignity than his father the Duke.

A minor royal from the past and still a minor royal.

I am sorry GD but I feel that in the years to come, his legacy will be quite insignificant considering the long lifetime he has had to do something of merit.

I have always thought it would be interesting to find out what some of the more obsure great-great-grandchildren of QV are doing now.  Without his marriage, I am sure D of E would have been one of those obscure great-great grandchildren.   Sorry but I cannot be convinced about this man.

[Grace]

I have to agree with Joan concerning the D of E.  Any man of his rank and standing that would make a big hobby of carriage racing has got to be a little bonkers.  Embarrassing.

Even his eldest son the Heir, who is rather outre himself,  contains more gravitas and dignity than his father the Duke.

A minor royal from the past and still a minor royal.

Because of Philip's "rank and standing" he shouldn't have been allowed to maintain a sporting interest?  Rubbish.  Perhaps Prince Albert may have lived a longer and happier life if HE had realized that life is not all work?