Most of us think about retiring well before we reach our nineties. But at 95 years old, Prince Philip has only just decided to start taking it easy across the pond.
Husband to Queen Elizabeth II, he has always been faithful to all of the duties and obligations that come along with calling her his wife. But how much do we really know about the royal consort?
For instance, I always knew he had family ties to Greece before becoming the Duke of Edinburgh, yet I had no idea those early days of his life were so turbulent — or the bizarre way he was taken away from the country while still such a young child.
Take a look at the facts below, and you’ll definitely be surprised by how much more there is than meets the eye when it comes to Prince Philip.
And don’t forget to Liked Video his fascinating life story with your friends!
1. He Was Born On His Family’s Kitchen Table
On June 10, 1921, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg welcomed their fifth child and first son into their own home, a villa named Mon Repos, on the island of Corfu, off the coast of Greece.
2. He Was Smuggled Out Of Greece As A Child
After his father was arrested for treason during political turmoil, the family fled their home when Philip was just 18 months old. His father carried the infant inside an orange crate, aboard the British Royal Navy ship that had been sent by King George V to collect them.
3. He Was Bullied At School
While at prep school as a young boy, his classmates would make fun of him for not having a last name, only being referred to as “Philip of Greece.”
4. Elizabeth Was Only 8 Years Old The First Time They Met
They were both attending the wedding of Princess Marina of Greece and the Duke of Kent in 1934. Philip was 13 at the time. The pair wouldn’t meet again for five more years.
5. He Fought In World War II
At just 18, he joined the Royal Navy and was assigned as a midshipman on the HMS Ramillies, which carried the first contingents of the Allied Expeditionary Force from Australia to Egypt.
6. He Renounced His Own Royalty To Marry Elizabeth
Before their marriage, Philip became a naturalized citizen of Great Britain and adopted the last name Mountbatten from his maternal grandparents — quickly trading it five months later, after their wedding in 1947, for his title as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
7. He Had Pennies To His Name When He Got Married
His bank account was filled with roughly 15 cents before he walked down the aisle to say “I do” to Elizabeth.
8. He Has Food Nicknames For His Wife
Among Philip’s favorite terms of endearment for Elizabeth are “sausage” and “cabbage.” I’m sure he’s the only one who could get away with calling the Queen anything like that!
9. He Designed A Bracelet For Elizabeth As A Wedding Gift
Philip used jewels from one of his mother’s tiaras to create a one-of-a-kind accessory for his bride.
10. He Was The First Royal Family Member To Be Interviewed On TV
Philip sat down in front of cameras for an interview on May 29, 1961, in which he discussed Commonwealth Technical Training Week as an advocate for creating more skilled workers for the labor force across the country.
11. He’s Always Been Quite Shy
According to reports from family members, Philip has always put on a brave face out of a sense of duty and obligation to his family — despite have a “great natural shyness” and battling insecurities like the rest of us.
Don’t forget to Liked Video these amazing facts about Prince Philip with your friends and family!
