Why Prince Philip was once considered a 'dangerous' match for young Elizabeth
The Queen and Prince Philip have been married for 71 years and while their marriage certainly has lasted the test of time, many were initially against the union between Philip and the young Princess Elizabeth.
The pair first met in 1934 at the wedding of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark to Prince George, Duke of Kent.
However, it was in 1939 when the young princess visited the Royal Naval College with her parents – King George and Queen Elizabeth – when Philip, 18, captured 13-year-old Elizabeth’s heart.
They both kept in contact via letters and naval captain Philip would often visit Windsor Castle when he had the opportunity, but due to his naval background and position of power, this caused red flags for many in the establishment.
Royal expert Robert Jobson claimed in the 2016 documentary, Prince Philip – A King Among Princes, when the Greek prince married Elizabeth he was considered a “dangerous leftie”.
“You have got just wonderful romance, this dashing naval officer marrying the girl next door who was everybody’s sweetheart and who was going to be our queen,” he said, as per The Express.
“It’s strange that now he’s cast as a cantankerous old crust and a right wing, et cetera, et cetera.
“When he first sprung upon an astonished world he was regarded as a dangerous leftie.”
Gyles Brandreth, an author former member of the UK parliament, also claimed, “There were a lot of people in English society, and courtiers in particular, who weren’t sure who this man was.”
As depicted in the hit series of first season of The Crown, the Duke of Edinburgh – played by Matt Smith – is seen as a moderniser, when some older members of the establishment preferred to stick to tradition.
Despite the reservations of many, Philip and Elizabeth wed in 1947 and went onto have four children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
The couple celebrated their 71st anniversary last year, and have been a strong team throughout the entirety of the Queen’s 66-year reign.
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