Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

[dmitri]

I find it hard to accept that Prince Philip is responsible for the break up of Charles and Diana. That can only be attributed to the couple themselves. In fact he tried to keep the marriage together. He and Diana had a good relationship as did The Queen with Diana. Much rubbish has been written about the Windsors especially in tabloid newspapers and magazines. Nobody can imagine what it is like to be part of that family. Certainly Prince Philip realised that his children had to be strong to survive what was becoming increasingly difficult, to be a member of the royal family where the trash media intrudes in areas of their lives that none of us would ever tolerate in our own. He is a man who has tried to do his very best. I wonder whether those who attack him have ever met him? I guess they just prefer to throw stones at a very decent and elderly human being. He is now 86 and still working to the best of his ability. I say leave him alone and have some self respect. 

[Greenowl]

I agree totally. I think Prince Philip has done a splendid job (which must have been far from easy for a man with such a strong personality as his) and I for one admire him very much and enjoy some of his little remarks...at least he speaks his mind. I do not know what understanding was reached between the Queen and Prince Philip in the matter of their marriage, nor do I want to know. As far as I am concerned, that is a private matter and should remain so. Perhaps I am old-fashioned and hypocritical in this regard, but I really applaud their tact and discretion over the years. I agree that he probably handled Charles and Edward in the wrong way, but I really believe that he was acting in what he considered were their best interests. I seem to remember that he was asked about his role as a parent in an interview (I'm afraid I cannot quote the source...but perhaps someone else may have read the same interview, if so, please confirm!!) and his response was something like "I did my best". What more can one ask? And indeed, we all make mistakes, especially in the difficult job of parenting.

[grandduchessella]

When looking into the ages of various royals as part of another thread, I came across the factoid that right now Philip is the eldest living geat-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria, having been born in 1921.

[Mary R.]

How interesting, I had no idea! 

Mary R.

[Lucien]

Prince Philip was atmitted to hospital last night due to a "chest infection".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7330697.stm

I hope all will turn out OK for HRH.

[Lucien]

http://www.royalimages.nl/search.pp?mailingid=9312&flush=1

[Lucien]

HRH was discharged from hospital today.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7333280.stm

[Eddie_uk]

Thank you Lucien! I was pleased to hear the Duke had left hospital to recuperate at Windsor.

[Greenowl]

Thanks Lucien!

I am relieved to know that the Duke has now been discharged from hospital and sincerely hope that he will soon make a full recovery.

[Richard_Maybery]

I came across a 2-hour documentary about Prince Philip in my video collection the other day. It was originally broadcast in 1999. I thought it came over as quite balanced with interviews with King Constantine of Greece, Lady Mountbatten and two of his cousins, among others. It was interesting to hear about his family and sisters.

Comments from James Whitaker about Philip's alleged dislike for Princess Diana now seem wrong in view of their correspondence which has recently come to light.

I've taken a few screen grabs. The picture quality is not great - the tapes are knackered - but I'll post more if anyone finds them interesting.

[Richard_Maybery]

Prince Philip's Four Sisters.




His sister Cecilie with husband and, in the first shot, their family






I don't know which sisters these are but they're obviously wedding photos!

[Richard_Maybery]

His father Prince Andrew of Battenberg in old age.



His mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg in 1921. Beautiful but deaf as a post apparently.

[Cambria_Coheed]

It's Theodora I believe and Sophie...the wedding pictures that is....

if you could post more that would be AMAZING! I'm always trying to find new pictures of Prince Phillip and his sisters when they were younger.

[Mari]

Very interesting. I'd like to see more photo's also. I think I see some of Prince Harry in the first one where Prince Phillip is about 12?  Not the hair of course but the nose and mouth and chin. 

[Richard_Maybery]

Some more pictures of Philip when young.