Regarded as the longest-serving Royal Consort, Prince Philip dedicated his services to the Country for more than 70 years. When we go back years before he became Queen Elizabeth‘s husband, Prince Philip was already royalty, hailing from Greece and Denmark. His years of experience as a Naval officer are what made him deeply interested in science and technology, and after becoming the Duke of Edinburgh, he was able to pursue his interests further.
Prince Philip was born on 10th June 1921, when unrest was widespread in his country. He was, however, able to get educated in France and soon joined the Royal Navy at a young age. After gaining years of experience working in the Navy, he even joined World War II. It was somewhere around this time that Prince Philip was able to meet Princess Elizabeth, and her father granted them permission to be wed. Both of them were the perfect match for each other, and Prince Philip chose to drop his previous titles.
After their marriage, he was bestowed with the titles of Duke of Edinburgh and the Earl of Merioneth. He was also given the title Baron of Greenwich. Naturally, we might assume a Queen’s husband is the King, but in the British Monarchy, there are different titles for each position. Granting the title of King or Queen solely depends on the closeness of the connection to the Royal family.
Prince Philip’s Title Before Marrying Queen Elizabeth: His Early Life
Prince Philip had always been a charming Prince. After his family was exiled, he moved to different countries and continued to be of service to the world. His hard work as a Navy officer was well appreciated and made him the best person for Princess Elizabeth. Of all of his siblings, Prince Philip was the only son. It’s believed that he is a direct descendant of King George I and King Christian I, who ruled Greece and Denmark, respectively.
Not only was he excellent in his appearance, but also his commanding skills. Prince Philip soon became the youngest First Lieutenant in the Navy. When Princess Elizabeth and her sister visited the Royal Naval College, they were given a tour by Prince Philip, and that’s where the royals first fell in love. Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, approved of their marriage, and they were wed after four years of meeting each other.
Their marriage was met with a small amount of controversy as Prince Philip didn’t have a kingdom or home, and all of his sisters were married to German Noblemen. Despite the skepticism, the marriage at Westminster Abbey proceeded smoothly, and the couple ended up spending the longest time ruling together in Royal history. After being beside each other for almost 74 years, the Royal consort passed away on 9th April 2021; he was 99.
Why Was Prince Philip Not King? Explained
According to British Royalty, when a King’s direct descendant marries someone, they either become the Queen Consort or the Prince consort. The title of King is strictly reserved for those in direct rule, such as King Charles. This is the reason behind Prince Philip being given the title of Prince Consort after marriage into the Royal family. With the word “Consort” meaning a partner or companion, it’s usually seen that the Royal King or Queen would attend almost every event with their Queen or Prince Consort.
Despite not being a King, Prince Philip was most dedicated to his country and was a part of more than 780 organizations, most of which were based on Scientific research and technology. He and Queen Elizabeth shared four children, Prince Charles, who is now the King; Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. Prince Philip was also a keen environment enthusiast and would often be seen enjoying sports such as Polo and Sailing.
After Queen Elizabeth’s death on 8th September 2022, the title of King was passed down to Prince Charles. He was already the Heir apparent after 1952. The coronation happened in Westminster Abbey, which is the same place his parents had gotten married. After being crowned King Charles III, His wife, Camilla, will now be called the Queen Consort.
Also Read: 45 Facts About King Charles III That You Should Not Miss
