Well, I wasn’t expecting this. Prince Philip has passed away at the age of 99, almost two months before his 100th birthday. The Duke of Edinburgh passed away at Windsor Castle, where he and the Queen had been in relative lockdown for much of the past year. Philip returned to Windsor in mid-March following his month-long hospitalization, which included a wide array of tests and one heart procedure. The Royal Family’s website changed over to this message:
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
Further announcements will made in due course.
The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.
Friday, 9 April 2021
They say that “further announcements will be made in due course,” meaning the funeral and memorial arrangements. It was in recent weeks that “sources” told the Daily Mail that Philip had told the Queen that he didn’t want a big fuss when he died. I bet the Queen will want a big fuss for him though, although there are still pandemic issues, so it would likely not be a big, public funeral. I genuinely feel sorry for the Queen and for the rest of the family.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid, Avalon Red.
Not unexpected but still very sad.
This.
I thought he would have made until 100.
Goodnight, sweet prince. 😥
My condolences to the royal family.
I was one of those who was hoping he would make it to 100. Say what you will about the man, but he led an extraordinarily interesting life. I’m a WOC and PP has made a number of gaffes over the years about my people (as well as countless others) – my view on them is it’s wrong, but he is from another time. My grandparents had their own racial biases (even amongst our own society!) and I feel that sometimes you just need to let the dinosaurs go extinct and learn from their mistakes. Not trying to diminish any POC who has been personally offended by him, just trying to articulate my own feelings.
In the highly problematic BRF full of backstabbers and pedophiles, Philip’s foot in mouth syndrome and philandering ways makes him one of the least problematic IMO. He should get a lot of credit for his hard work and patronages (unlike some of his descendants). I know many people who have personally benefited from the Duke of Edinburgh award which he has always been very involved in. I have a lot of colleagues who have credited it with giving them the resources and confidence to pursue their dreams which they otherwise would not have been able to. It’s probably one of the most well-known programmes focusing on opportunities for young people in the UK.
GA nicely said
I think he was a good man, but as you say, GA, a man of his times. He took a difficult role and made it seem effortless. I’m sorry for his death, but from what I’ve read of him, he never wanted to live so long in such poor health. Maybe he will get the funeral, HE wanted….simple, private, without all the pomp.
Very well said, @GA
That was very kind and diplomatic of you. It reminds me of the late 80’s when myself, brother and cousins would give our Granny into trouble for casual racist comments and tell her why it was wrong. To give her, her dues she has never been racist or discriminatory since then. We educated her and she realised her remarks and thoughts were wrong. I agree that these awful types will thankfully die off soon but in the meantime let’s try and help them be aware of how wrong they are. She’s 90 now, I’m 41 and G-dang it I’m proud she left horrible words and thoughts in the past. Granted this won’t be the same for every racist fecker but that’s when we can be thankful they’ll die off soon 🤣
@GA – very classy. I agree about the DoE award, something lots of kids benefitted from.
So perfectly said. RIP, Prince Philip, you’ve earned it.
@Space Geek that’s amazing your granny changed her ways and listened to proper reason – shows a real open-mindedness that I wish more people of that generation have (my own family included in this). I think most people that age are, as @Lowcountry lady aptly said “people of their time”, but there are genuinely backward nutters who just long for the days of the British Empire (which I find living in the UK). The latter will unfortunately pop up a bit in all age groups though
I don’t think being a racist is a gaffe or excusable no matter your age or circumstances and am sick of people making excuses. The world does not get better unless we expect more especially of someone with this man’s influence. I am sure he did a lot of good things but let’s not excuse bad behavior. People in power should be willing to grow and change with the times. No wonder the monarchy is stuck in a time warp.
This is so eerie. Today I had the thought “I’m sure prince Philip has died” and now they announced he is dead.
Wow.
May he rest in peace.
Sure he achieved an expected amount, but no more than any other royal of his generation or in his position. He will be remembered by his racism, foul temper and bad driving. And definitely not mourned by any Greeks.
duplicated
I can’t imagine the struggle he underwent to live as long as he did. God rest him and condolences to the family.
Indywom, I really know where you are coming from. I suspect I am a lot older than you, I’m 46. I have had moments, with my own family, where I have been so angry, I have told them to all f off. But it’s really not that simple. I was born in 1974, and at that time, my Mom, who is still a C.P.A. to this day, was being forced into acting like a 70s secretary. Even though she was a math wizard, and smarter than ALL of them.
Generational differences are a thing. I have forced my Mom to stay at home, for over a year, until she was able to get vaccinated. She is now a different Mom than the one I knew in 2019, she is better. And she is still alive, which means she can work her magic on her friends. Educating old people is something the younger of us have to take on, and hope it goes well.
Well, he lived a good and full life. My condolences to the family.
This. We should all be so lucky to reach his age and live the life he was afforded to live.
RIP PP.
I am sorry for the loved ones whenever anyone passes; of course they grieve no matter how expected a death is. Still, I find it annoying when people say “What a tragedy!” when someone who’s lived an extraordinarily long life passes. It’s not a tragedy; it’s the most certain part of life. I just hate our society’s denial of death and lack of familiarity with it; it’s so hidden and sanitized.
He lived a full generation longer than the average lifespan (for those who even make it to that point).
Doubt the Palace will follow pandemic measures. They have not shown a good example. He should have a small funeral.
Harry can visit or not. If he visits, Harry shouldn’t show his face to make money for the press. He can be present for the private burial and go home.
If Harry attends and hides from the press, I’m sure the headlines would be along the lines of “Harry hides face in shame for embarrassing the royal family!”, “Sheepish Harry slinks in the shadows after daring to return to UK!”.
They would never admit H & M are thriving.
Doesn’t matter. Harry can behave as he wants. He doesn’t owe the press (or me 😄) anything. I just want him to be safe.
I agree, The “bots” will trash Meghan and Harry.
It was announced by Prince Harry that “He will do his utmost to attend his Grandfathers funeral”.
Prince Philip has 4 children and many grandchildren including the 1st and 2nd in line to the throne, so plenty of family to mourn for him and attend his funeral. Harry is free to do what is best for him and his own family.
I think he’ll go to the funeral. It’s different from Diana’s statue unveiling. He is kind man and still loves his dysfunctional family, I think.
Sure, British Press won’t let him mourn in peace.
It took by my count 37 whole minutes before the media w*nkstains started blaming the natural death of a 99yr old man on a biracial pregnant woman and her husband. Brian Kilmeade on Faux News clearly toeing the P* M* / KP line this morning per Twitter.
Now would be a very good time for Gov. Newsom to toss up a new lockdown which would take the decision out of Harry’s hands so that the media can’t blame him if he wants to blank the whole damn thing.
Personally I would worry for his safety going back to the UK. His family is that unhinged and look what they did to his mother.
Will would try to “advise” him aka try to bully him into “coming to his senses.” Dreadful.
Rest in peace, Sir Phil. You were a character, unpredictable, unique.
I do feel awful for the Queen: I don’t know how she will cope with his absence.
He had strong personality. He was his own man. RIP
Notasugar – You knew they slept in the same bed until he went to Wood Farm? Wow! How did you come to know that??
Intruder in Queen’s bedroom 1982. Pretty much all articles at the time were about seperate bedrooms. Nothing wrong with that at all. But, yeah that was in all the papers.
Queen will be fine. They lived what appears to be a happy and distant marriage. It worked fir them. She will likely feel more mortal and realize she is in the winter if her years -say mid December. I can’t see Charles living any where as long as either parent. So Baldemort could be king well before he’s in his 50’s.
They slept in the same bed up until his retirement to Wood Farm, but sure, call it distant. Why wouldn’t Charles live as long? He’s had excellent health care his entire life, doesn’t smoke, eats organic, exercises regularly. Other than arthritis and rosacea, no health concerns. William is the one more likely to die younger, given his smoking and binge drinking.
That was my thought, TQ. They have known each other since she was a teen, if I remember correctly. TQ is the one I feel sorrow for, not anyone else as she will be affected greatly.
On a side note, it’s common that a spouse follows the death of their spouse within a few years so now I wonder about TQ. I hope she is around for many years to come.
My heart goes out to TQ as well. She has been in love with Philip since she was just 13 and whatever their faults, they stayed together and lived to see multiple great-grandchildren. Philip worked hard on his own projects, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme that helped many generations, and supported his wife. He led a very interesting life, starting when he had to live Greece as an infant and bouncing around relatives as a child. That he survived a tumultous, at best, childhood and lived to almost 100 is a testament to his character. My thoughts with his family at this sad time.
She’s 94; any way you slice it, she likely hasn’t got much time left, herself.
I am dreading the papers headlines tomorrow and how Meghan will be blamed
Bully Boy will make sure Meghan is blamed.
That is a forgone conclusion but if I were Meghan I will remain unbothered. He was old. He had lived his life, good and bad. Even his wife was no longer living with him as he had a special companion for decades.
🙄
I think it might be different this time. Maybe they’ll read the room and finally understabd but I was always too positive
They’re already blaming Harry, Meghan, & Oprah for this. Took less than an hour.
This is true. But the memes are brutal on twitter in favour of Megan.
They would have blamed Meghan even if she didn’t do the interview. If her and Harry were still in the UK as senior working members, she would still be blamed. They will blame her for everything from here on out.
I figured that would happen. Two people 6000 miles away somehow caused the death of a very ill 99 year old who just spent a month in the hospital. Of course!
And some forget that Ghislaine may be on trial soon with some embarrassing revelations that may not be able to be swept under the rug. It may be “ignored” but it is a real scandal if Ghislaine throws others under the bus.
I am sorry for his family’s loss. Setting aside what Philip was or was not (and there was a lot known about him being awful), he was a beloved grandfather and father.
I sincerely hope this is not a new club for the RR to use against H&M but I’m expecting the worst, especially if very pregnant Meghan refuses to return for the funeral.
They will. They SHOULD be honoring Philip’s very long, complicated and colorful life. But by tomorrow’s papers Harry and Meghan’s faces will be splashed across the cover instead of Philip’s. He’ll have a tiny picture in the corner and the subhead line will be about Harry.
I don’t think Meghan will come for the funeral. Harry might. This is going to be the most stressful, awkward funeral ever. Between the family drama and the pandemic, it’s gonna be a hot mess.
I doubt she will go. Her high risk pregnancy alone is reason enough not to fly.
IF there is some sort of family service or funeral in the near future – Harry will definitely attend (I’m kind of shocked that people are saying he wouldn’t), Meghan definitely won’t. The only reason Harry wouldn’t go, IMO, is if the funeral is scheduled too close to M’s due date – like if she is due June 15 and they schedule the funeral for June 10. My guess though is that it will be scheduled for sooner than that.
@Becks: I checked when the Queen Mother was buried compared to when she died. She died on the 30th March and was buried on the 9th April (which is today actually. Must be hard for HM to have her husband die on the same day her mother was buried) so that’s about 10 days. I believe that’s the quarantine length in the UK if you get tested before you fly so Harry could make it. But I haven’t checked the rules right now so I could be wrong.
My point is, yes I also think Harry will go. Meghan maybe. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear if Harry (and perhaps Meghan) were already on a flight right now.
Totally agree @Becks1.
Harry obviously loved his grandfather, as most recently evidenced when he pointed out Phillip didn’t make the Baby Sussex skin color comments.
Harry will attend but Meghan will not (and should not given her pregnancy).
@Sofia that’s kind of odd that today was her funeral. I mean it’s just a timing thing, but still, hard for the queen to lose her husband on the anniversary of her mother’s funeral. And I agree that I would not be surprised if Harry was on a flight now. Does he still need to quarantine if he’s already vaccinated? (not sure where he falls in California’s priority system.)
Meghan will be blamed either way. If she goes they will say she wants all of the attention if she doesn’t they will say she is heartless.
Sadly, she will never win. She will do what is best for her and her baby.
And if Harry dosen’t go she gets the blame as well.
I would take a guess that no airline would take her. She should be close to her third trimester and given that she is older and so far into her pregnancy, I can’t see any airline taking her as the risk is too great.
Well said. Unfortunately the press will not do that at all and the headlines will be trash attacking Harry and Meghan to prop up Kate.
I feel badly for the Queen. This will obviously be a huge personal loss for her.
Well this is sad news 🙁
Will be interesting to see what arrangements are made here in London. Things are just beginning to open up more so I guess there could be a big procession or something planned.
And then of course talk about the Sussex’s return is due to start in 3…2…1…
The press are disgusting. They can and should talk about Phillip and the Queen but they will flood the headlines about HM when they don’t even have to talk about HM. Disgusting UK press.
Yup, they are going to spend a day mourning Philip and then pivot to H&M very quickly.
Yes the press will be full of rubbish as usual and the stans of both sides will be frothing at the mouth
UK Twitter is already predicting that the British Media will blame it on the Sussex’s.
The very sad thing is is that both the BM and a certain household will use this to further bash the Sussex’s and further stir up hate towards them.
@Becks1 I doubt they’ll let mourning interfere with attacking H&M, they’re probably already twisting themselves into knots with ways to blame them for all sorts of things
I am watching The Today Show here in the US and they keep talking about Harry and Meghan. It’s insane. They are wondering if they will go back for the funeral and when Harry will put out a statement.
Yup, can’t wait for the articles all about how “weeks of undue stress following Harry & Meghan’s bombshell Oprah interview took a heavy toll on Prince Philip, and some say he would’ve reached his 100th birthday if the interview and subsequent drama had not occurred.”
From the daily mail. “A very sad day for our country’: Piers Morgan, Eamonn Holmes and Dan Wootton lead stars paying a heartfelt tribute to Prince Phillip after his death aged 99.” Dan Wootton – STAR! Didn’t think they’d work a little self-embiggening in first, though. Just, wow.
Watching both the British and American TV coverage atm and i must say that the Brits have not mentioned H&M once , but omg the Americans just keep bringing them up constantly, i understand that this is the link they have with the monarchy but it’s just nauseating.
that said, I’m sure the British tabloids will not show the same restraint as the British TV coverage.
You know it, this might be the most awkward funeral in a while 🙈🥴
“Luckily” the pandemic will make travel and public gathering very difficult and hopefully will provide an excuse to avoid them altogether.
Dunno. Harry is doomed if he does, doomed if he doesn’t, but I fear that if he doesn’t come (even with them being bastards, with his wife due soon and with the pandemic, all good reasons why not to go), he’ll loose a lot of sympathy of the people who ATM support him.
I don’t envy Meghan, either. She shouldn’t be under any stress right now, and having your husband go into the lion’s den that hates you and wants to separate you two … It’s a bad situation. 🙁
I imagine it will be like Trump’s visit to London. It’s entirely sensible for Meghan to stay home from the funeral while heavily pregnant during a pandemic. That won’t stop the criticism. It would be good for Harry to go as it will be the first time he, William and Charles will be together on camera and/or in a room. It will be good to break the ice and get that first encounter over. No one will expect much emoting or smiling etc for a funeral so they can all remain discreetly at a remove.
I watched the American coverage so far Harry and Meghan have not been mentioned just the story of Prince PHilip as Elizabeth’s “rock”.
DMX is getting more coverage than Prince Phillip. Most Americans don’t care about the monarchy.
RIP. He lived a long and eventful life. As for funeral arrangements, he was the Consort so they may do something major for him but will obviously tell people to stay him and not to gather in crowds. Won’t stop people of course but they’ll say it. Also am not looking forward to the “Will Harry and/or Meghan come to the funeral?” And the subsequent coverage if they do or do not.
A long life lived with every privilege and wildest dream realized. Not bad. RIP.
Exactly. He was good, bad and ugly at the same time but he is a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grand father. May he RIP.
The first 20 years of his life wasn’t so privileged. His father was a constant cheater who abandoned his deaf wife and many children. Philip was born on the kitchen table of a house in Corfu. He was shuffled as a poor relation between friends in Germany and France before landing with friends in the UK.
Uncle Louis Mountbatten took the chance, threw him in Elizabeth’s path when Philip was 18, and the rest is history. At the time they married, he had his navy uniform, one change of clothes, and the smuggled family tiara broken up in to pieces for her engagement ring and wedding bracelet.
Phillip’s full life story will be a fascinating biography -when written by a true historian and not a royal hagiographer. The 20th century story of Europe told through Philip’s life is a book I will read.
@Bettyrose: me too!
@Bettyrose – I agree. When someone finally writes it all – the good, the bad and the ugly – I think it will be fascinating. but it will have to be done by an actual historian or biographer, not someone like Penny Junor or Ingrid Seward or whoever had the recent book about and insisted he never cheated on the Queen.
He certainly looked pretty good well into his 90s ,the Royals that dont over indulge drinking and smoking always live very long,I am sure they get annual check ups several times a year.
I’ve always said these royals live so long because they have access to the best medical care, they eat organic food, they don’t have the stresses of money and housing that most people do, and they literally never have to lift a finger. That’s a well rested life.
The Queen’s mother was drinking well into to 100’s and was the longest-lived member of the royal family British history.
Queen Mum was nearly pickled by that time, and QEII is known to have multiple drinks through the day.
RIP – the WILL be a big send off for him and there is a lot of affection for him.
He lived a long good life.
RIP Prince Phillip. Many condolences to the family.
Rest in peace Philip, you have lived a full life and had the good fortune to see your great grandchildren being born.
Philip and Elizabeth have always been seen as soulmates so I have a feeling Elizabeth might pass away soon from heartache. I simply don’t think she will be able to carry on without him.
They’ve been living separately for a while now, at least prior to the pandemic, but you do often see situations where one partner dies and then the other one passes soon after as well. See: Barbara Bush and George HW Bush
I have seen lots like this especially couples from that generation.
This almost happened with my grandparents. My grandfather died and then my grandmother was hospitalized for 6 months and was very sick. Everyone came home for Christmas that year because they were positive she was going to die. She ended up living another 30 years.
That happened to my grandmother when my grandfather died a few years ago. The beginnings of her dementia suddenly accelerated and we often found her in their bedroom having conversations with him to empty air. She barely lasted a year after he passed. They had been married for 60+ years, so I would imagine it will be worse for the Queen having been married longer and also being well into her 90s herself.
I think any couple that has endured the vast majority of their lives side by side (even if not physically together for large stretches) would still face an earth shattering emptiness when their life partner moves on, especially when you’re at an age where loneliness finds you much quicker.
@GA – yeah, my grandmother didnt die until almost 3 years after my grandfather, but I think what killed my grandfather was we separated them – my grandmother had dementia and needed to be in a nursing home, my grandfather didnt so he lived with my aunt, and I know that definitely killed him emotionally and I think it contributed to his death (he died at 89, so he had a good long life as it was, but I think when they started living separately it pushed him over the edge, you know?)
I think the Queen is strong enough to pull through this sort of emotional loss, but I think Philip was one of the last of her generation and of her peers that is still living…And that has to be hard. I do feel for her in that respect.
Becks1, so sad. That’s why I like some of the newer retirement communities, where they have memory care, assisted living, and apartments for independent living built together. That way, couples may have to stay the night in different quarters (memory care vs. independent living), but they can be with each other all day long.
@Becks1, @notasugarhere – it’s so sad when you have to separate couples like this. It’s much more traumatic for older generations as they come from a time when family was the centre of everyone’s lives (both my grandmothers were homemakers and as a result, both grandfathers were heavily dependent on them to do anything in the home). You remove one, the other one’s “purpose” is gone. Remove the other, they can’t function as they have to suddenly do all these things by themselves.
My parents had a very different marriage – they were together but always lived in different countries for work and I was brought up by my grandparents so I could have a normal childhood. When my dad died, we were all devastated but didn’t miss him the way people had expected us to. My grandma had said (of my mom): “They didn’t live together so she doesn’t miss him in her day to day. She doesn’t have to go around the house looking for him everywhere”.
He had a good, long life. 99-almost-100 is an achievement. Sincere condolences to the family, in any case.
I will say this much: I hope that Harry isn’t pressured to go back to England for a full slate of pageantry. In my estimation, his first priority right now should be his pregnant wife and his own mental health.
Sad but not unexpected, he did not look well in the pictures following his release from the hospital, and well, he’s 99.
My guess is they will do a small family funeral now, and next year hold a big ceremony to honor his life (maybe tied into the queen’s jubilee?)
Becks1, that would made sense. A tribute to Philip during the next Jubilee celebrations (should they happen).
My condolences to the family. The funeral is going to be hell to organize, but I imagine they had plans already after his hospital stay between February and march.
So … Piers will have to shut up now, right?
Prince Philip was not a good man. He lived a long and privileged life and condolences to those who loved him.
No he wasn’t, but at the same time he really “hit the ground running” worked even in his ’90s, and basically has created the role of “consort” as we know, and apparently he was the one who kept the family together, when he retired everything went south.
Amen, Kalana
@Kalana
Thanks for this unvarnished & honest, yet respectful post. I hope but doubt we’ll see any other post as succinct & apt as this.
Perfectly said.
I am surprised by the comments on this post. One just needs to hop back to recent posts about him to read a different POV.
May we all live to 99 in relative good health.
I hope the pandemic gives Harry an excuse to stay home. I don’t trust the Firm not to do anything sinister if he comes back to the UK.
Same. They’ve already shown they’re willing to risk his and his family’s safety with their location leaks in the past.
I feel exactly the same way. After pulling his $$ and security when they were in Canada I would not trust Harry’s safety for one minute. They have spent a year ginning up hatred against him, or at least allowing the RR to do the ginning. Nope ineoukdvmorn privately from a safe location.
It might sound strange, but this morning I was thinking about Philip and that there were no news around him and his health and I was wondering if that means that he was not recovering.
Eventhough he was almost 100 yrs old it’s always sad when a life comes to an end.
My condolences to the family!
FOX and Friends has already linked his death to the Oprah interview. They didn’t even wait until the body was cold.
The American right wing media was focusing on him as a war hero etc being subjected to this by Harry even while he was ill. They can’t do it for anyone else in this family. It’s sick that Murdoch’s influence and the hatred of Americans who disagree with them politically is so strong they’re stanning the British royal family.
Which is so stupid because remember we were told a few weeks ago that he didnt even watch the interview lol.
I believe it will come out that Philip has been very very ill with a serious illness for at least two years. I have read this on other boards
@Bay – yes, he’s definitely been very sick for a while. Any pictures we’ve seen of him in the past few years – he does not look well. Part of that is just age I’m sure, but I do not think his death is a surprise to the royal family by any means.
Deepest sympathy to the family.
Genuinely can’t wait to see how Meghan slipped into the country disregarded Covid rules and murdered Phil in his sleep.
It’s sad because death is always hard on loved ones, but in this year of horrific sorrow and grieving, -a 16 year old in our province just died of COVID, the youngest victim in Canada – all I can think of is all the lives cut short this year, by the virus, as collateral (ie: not enough healthcare for non-covid needs), police brutality, etc – all these beautiful lives who will never get to see 99….
May he rest in peace.
RIP Philip. Cheers to a long, well lived life. He was problematic at times, but it’s still sad. I do feel bad for the Queen. I know they weren’t close anymore, but I do believe he’s always been her person.
I sincerely hope all of them–the palaces, the RR, Piers Morgan, etc–will shut up right now and keep Harry and Meghan’s names out of their mouths. I’m already shaking my head at what we all know is about to come.
As we say where I live: He had a good innings.
Still, it doesn’t matter how old your parents are when they pass away… they’re still your parents.
Holding my tongue re any other comments about the man. This is not the time; others may feel very differently of course.
My thoughts are with Harry who loved him. May we all live to see 99.
Condolences to the family. I’m sure Harry will go to the funeral but I doubt Meghan would come. She’s pretty late in a high risk pregnancy to be flying , what 10-11 hours even with a layover. And I’m sure they have planned for this when Phillip became ill.
I’m hoping they already worked out how they will handle it. It would make sense since he was in the hospital for a month.
This is not unexpected given his age, but I admit when I went online this morning and saw the headline, a jolt of surprise went through me.
My next thought was, “oh boy, so how are they going to turn and twist this into H&M’s “dramatics” killed him??” The man was knocking on 100’s door and had a myriad of health conditions….yet they are going to get up to their regularly programmed garbage and spew that bile by tonight, trust. That said, whatever his faults and foibles, it was a long and full life lived and my condolences to those who loved and cared for him.
He defined the role of consort. I don’t believe HM the Queen could have done this without him. He was greatly flawed but gave his life to service. May he Rest In Peace & May his memory be a blessing to his family & those who loved him
He actually didn’t “define the role of consort.” Prince Albert “defined the role of consort.”
I agree he followed the template that Albert began but the short life of Albert left much to be completed.. plus the reign of Victoria was quite contrary to that of Elizabeth’s. Albert was a better man but Phillip gave his 7 decades of service to the crown & that should be recognized. Victoria floundered much after the death of Albert. Elizabeth was spared that fate
Albert a better man? He married Victoria for position and security. Multiple members of his family schemed to get him married to Victoria, which he welcomed. He chaffed in his role for much of his short life. Eventually he came around to the idea of public service, but that took time.
He became a male consort at a difficult point in time, when some Western countries were shoving women back in to the kitchen and pretending the 40s hadn’t happened. There he was, walking a step behind his wife, being mocked by other men who were trying to ‘put women back in their place’. His ability to (finally) adapt and craft his role? May have made it slightly easier on the male consorts who followed two decades later, Henrik (Denmark) and Claus (The Netherlands).
My response was to the whole “Albert defined the role” comment to my original post. I don’t believe Albert did & I don’t think what Phillip did was comparable. Albert practically reigned w/Victoria, Phillip WAS a consort. He had to take to the role far quicker than he expected & had to give up military duty that he clearly excelled at (was a war hero) i do agree Albert was pushed in Victoria’s face but Dickie pushed Phillip in Elizabeth’s when she was only 13.
I think history will remember Phillip as defining the role of consort. He did his duty without complaint. Albert constant whinged about not being the man of the house.
My original post was simply Rest In Peace & May his memory be a blessing to those who loved him & his valuable sacrifice of his life to his wife & service to her crown be acknowledged
Philip complained plenty, especially in the first 10 years. He came around, was able to craft a role. If Albert had lived, maybe he might have done as much. Maybe not.
My heart goes out to those who loved him.
Rest in peace, Prince Philip. I don’t know why I’m so shocked to hear this news; I wonder if he passed away in his sleep or if they knew he was at the end? He was immensely privileged in his position and to have lived so long but at the same time, he set an example of dedication to work that some of his offspring followed and that put others to shame. Wish he could have made it those few extra months to 100.
I think it was in his sleep because they didnt say the queen was by his side, and I think if she was they would have said that (I think they said that when her mother died.)
We have absolutely no way of knowing how he died. We will never know if it’s true or not – the Royals are never honest about health or death.
Of course we have no way of knowing for sure, I am simply pointing out that they made a point of mentioning that the Queen was by her mother’s side in that death announcement, and no mention of it here, which makes me think he died in his sleep. I could be wrong of course, we could all be wrong about any thing we say here.
Makes sense, Becks1. They did sleep in the same bed for years until his retirement ot Wood Farm, but with his declining health they were likely in separate quarters at Windsor.
Philip never really recovered from the hospital visit but he was up and about. But I guess there was a…sense(?) the end was coming. Only thing I heard was that when they roused him yesterday morning, his legs were blue and he seemed really disoriented. Elizabeth was called as were all 4 children but he died before even Andrew could make it and he lives less than a 10 minute walk away.
Condolences to the family. My grandmother lived until 99 as well and when she passed we weren’t surprised, but it’s still hard.
This is, quite possibly, the most relevant comment I have read all day, thank you. None of us have the right to pass judgement, on this day, when the people who loved him are definitely hurting.
ETA: I am absolutely all for spitting on graves, when we are talking about the Hitlers, and Epsteins, and Rush Limbaughs among us. This man? People are hurting because they lost a family member they treasured. I am sorry.
You think the British Empire wasn’t worse than Rush Limbaugh? Rush didn’t have a physical army to commit atrocities against black and brown people. The Windsors did.
They just have better PR than other monsters. And pretty (blood stained) jewels.
dying of old age at 99 when he wasn’t in the best health for several years now ain’t too shabby. Sad for everyone who loved him, as one is, but I bet it’s kind of surreal for people in the UK, the vast majority of whom probably have no memory of their country without him being a fixture of it. I don’t think I can think of an equivalent cultural touchstone embodied by a person in the US.
May the Duke of Edinburgh rest in peace.
When all is said and done, this is a family. My deepest sympathies to Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan, Master Archie and the entire Royal Family. Be kind to one another..
My heart sank when I saw this news. A family already in disarray, and now the death of its patriarch. Imagining the grimy media takes on it all is depressing. RIP, Prince Philip.
I don’t have much (any) love for the BRF these days, but this made me sad. Rest In Peace, Philip, and condolences to his loved ones.
Rest In Peace.
He had a long and extremely rich life.
I am not shocked at all. You could see him fading. He had a long and interesting life. Rest in peace. I do believe this will mark the clock for Elizabeth.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she goes fairly quickly like George HW and Barbara Bush who went within 7 months of each other.
It’s grim to start predicting someone’s demise, but I can’t help but think Liz won’t last much longer. I’ve always felt she loved Phillip more than he loved her. Even though they lived apart at the end I think life without him will be too much to bear.
Have you read his letter to her parents from years ago? His wife was ‘home’ to him.
Agree. When one goes at this age, the other follows fairly quickly. That’s usually how it works. She looks frail. Charles needs to step up and stop playing games.
If we thought the reigns were off the horse now, we ain’t seen nothing yet now that Philip has passed.
It was not a secret they he was the one to kept things in check as much as he could and controlled the family. The PR misfires at the tail end of his life is not a coincidence.
Yup. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
I think we were already seeing the effects because I don’t think he had energy to spend on the nonsense in the last year.
I was hoping so very much he would actually make it to 100.
I don’t know why, but it felt as if him getting to that number would be a good omen, some hope in this horrible time. I know it’s irrational but yeah…
With all the good and bad, I’m sure he will be missed by many.
He lived a long and storied life. My sympathies are especially with the queen. My grandmother died after 50 years with my grandfather and he says he misses her more every day. I do too. Grandparents should live forever.
Even when we know a person’s days are surely numbered, the loss always comes as a blow. Clearly, the RF, the UK governments, and all media outlets were prepared with plans and obituaries, but this is still a hard, sad day for the people who loved and cared about him. He had a long, privileged life, but we know the consort role chafed and yet he carried it off for decades with energy and resolution. He’s earned his rest.
Damn. I was hoping that he’d hang out for 100. Nevertheless, a long, eventful, privileged, but not always easy life.
RIP, Prince Phillip. Deepest condolences to all who loved him.
A brief story: When my now-25-year-old niece, also named Elizabeth, was seven, QEII and Prince Philip came to their Canadian city on a tour. My sister and a friend brought their daughters to see them. They were standing behind the barricade but close enough to see everything when PP pointed at my niece had instructed the guard to “lift her over the barricade.” Noting that Laura was with Elizabeth, he had her lifted over too, then took them both to meet “The Missus.”
Debby thinks that Prince Philip spotted Elizabeth’s hearing aids. His mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, was deaf.
As noted in multiple posts above, you don’t get to be 99 and live the life he lived without being complicated and imperfect, but there was some good stuff, too.
As we say in my community, may his memory be for a blessing.
But this is CB!
And he had a pretty sad childhood himself
Thank you for sharing this.
Today is Charles & Camilla’s wedding anniversary. How’s that for a final “salute” from Daddy?
I remember Charles and Camilla had to change their wedding date because Pope John Paul II died.
:snortlaughs: Classic!
Why? Why should she/he not speak the truth as she/he knows it. The family are free to mourn him as they wish, but the world who observed who he was can feel however they feel and state it. When people like Koby Bryant died, many, many, many, many, many people rightfully chimed in with their feelings about what he had been accused of doing. Some were offended, but guess what, it didn’t stop commenters online and in the media from going there. Wanna bet that won’t happen in the media, at least initially to Phillip who did at least as much damage to others, possibly worse.
@Shoo fly, I hope you live a long and prosperous life and when you go, you are surrounded by love ones and lots of love.
RIP Phillip. Something I wish for everyone when they go.
RIP Prince Phillip. It’s not unexpected but still a surprise all the same. I hope right wing media focus entirely on him instead on dragging present day drama into the narrative.
There’s nearly 100 years of life to remember and look back on. And he lived quite an extraordinary life. His childhood alone was very interesting. I might have to watch series 1 of the crown, cos I love Matt smiths portrayal of the young Phillip.
Anyway I hope the palace call off the dogs in their Meghan smear campaign during this, because if they were smart, they would realise that his death is an opportunity to change the subject. But we all know they are not smart.
I am always glad to hear a passing was peaceful. It is the best way to go, IMO, especially after such a long and complicated life.
Condolences to his family. He always seemed horrible and entitled but he was loved by his family and that’s what matters right now – his family and their loss.
I hope the press show some semblance of respect, though that’s unlikely,
I will never forget all the awful, racist, and sexist things he said over the years.
Me neither.
Yep. Totally agree.
Funny, haven’t heard much mention of all the racist and sexist things he said in the non-stop BBC coverage today. They just say he would make gaffes: ‘Oops, he’s just a tad racist and sexist, but it’s just a little boo boo.’
They always scrub and clean up the history of those once they pass. He lived through a lot of world events that impacted his life like revolutions, war, social changes, but he was never at the forefront of those events, or steering the ship the way a president or prime minister would.From a historical perspective, his longevity and the disarray of the family, past and present, is what stands out the most to me.
Ditto.
May he rest in peace and may his family be comforted by the memories they have of him and the love they shared.
Can’t wait to see how the media blames Meghan for this one…
I thought the same. Not just the media but members of the royal family : /
The ones that usually slam Meghan are “at it ” on social media.
RIP Prince Phillip. Sure, he wasn’t a nice man (understatement), but he and Liz were seemingly the only ones who stayed in contact with Harry after Sussexit. So here is my say something nice – I’m sure Harry will remember him as the grandfather/great grandfather who had a big smile/grin on his face, looking down at a newborn Archie in that group photo with the Queen, Doria, Harry, & Meghan.
End of an era and he had a long run at life. The family is a mess but hoping they’ll come together in mourning. Condolences to them, sad for their country.
I mean I’m not going to be fake and say I care. I didn’t like him when he was alive and thought he was racist and I’m not going to pretend to see the good in him now that he is gone. I give people their flowers when they are in the present, and he’s just not someone I would have done that for.
In spite of him being awful, he led a long life. That’s something.
@Victoria, I feel the same, same same.
I feel the same way.
Bots on social media are trashing Harry and Meghan on Philip’s death threads. Awful.
That’s one thing but if the royal family remains silent even after these attacks, then that’s even worse. This means they allowed Phillip’s death to be framed as an excuse to bash Harry and Meghan. This is really disrespectful to Phillip and they’re using Philip. If the royal family doesn’t tell the racist UK media to lay off at least during this period of mourning, they’re not a family at this point. They have lost the plot and themselves. The next thing the UK should be asking is why they’re funding a role model “family” that is neither role model nor family.
It’s really disrespectful and grossly unfair to do that, and a lot of people have the sense to call it out.
I saw some of those comments, but a lot of people are clapping back at them. It seems like most comments are respectful and keeping it on the subject at hand.
I was never a fan of his, so I won’t pretend to be one now. But he lived a long and interesting life, and I hope he passed away in peace. I hope the media keeps the focus on his life and achievements during this time, and doesn’t resort to attacks on H and M. But I’m not holding out much hope.
WORD.
Well, that’s a surprise for today.
Philip was a happy member of an establishment that would not exist without the deeply entrenched, endemic inequality in Britain. He was a willing and eager participant of the system, a real believer in the hierarchy, unless that hierarchy came in the way of his personal ego and pride.
The fact that he lived a life until he was 99 is not an accomplishment–it speaks to the fact that he was at the pinnacle of privilege, living off of the money of British citizens for whom the only thing standing in the way of having the same life was their misfortune to not be born as a royal. He was able to get the best of everything that was available to him, from people who accomplished more, and contributed more to society, who died without fanfare and often in tragic, unnecessary circumstances. They won’t get columns written for them, eulogizing their lives, although a lot of them deserved it much more than any member of the royal family would.
As far as their personal family life is concerned, he enabled the Queen’s worst tendencies on that front–her inability to be confrontational, her avoidance of the difficult conversations, to put her foot down. By taking on a role as the “family enforcer”, he contributed heavily to their dysfunction, and those problems persist today. He was an enforcer bc he didn’t have the patience or the desire to sit down and actually ponder abt what his children and family needed for their emotional well-being.
His passing, for me, is melancholy because it means the world I knew is changing. And the changes aren’t stopping or slowing down any time soon. He’s an interesting figure from the viewpoint of history, and from the position he occupied in that institution and his role in it, and that’s abt as much as I can speak on.
Well said. What also nags me when I hear about these types of folks living to great ages (as if that alone makes them great) is also the anecdotal evidence from the elder care industry that bullies live the longest, and are the nursing home tyrants who bully the more vulnerable residents to death (their victims basically die to escape them).
Say what you will about Phillip, I found him a fascinating person, witness to so much 20th century history. From his origins in early 20th century European royal circles to homeless, drifting without much family support, to naval officer to lifelong consort to the Queen. A real piece of history, especially royal history, goes with him. I urge you all to read up on his life, it is very interesting.
I also appreciate his early awareness of environmental issues and his Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.
Rest in Peace and condolences to all of the Royal Family.
My mum is a Diana fan & said he was kind to Diana so she’s sombre today. I loved the story Harry told about how he ends a zoom call recently. Its nice that his most recent great grandchildren were named after him.
I respect his work modernising the institution somewhat& his work with the Duke of Edinburgh awards. For a royal he seemed to have a great work ethic. I doubt future consorts will match his impact in lots of different fields.
RIP. It would be nice if this sad time could bring some reflection& unity for the family..
I’ve been watching the news coverage in the uk, which has been on all day. It’s very interesting the things that Phillip is being praised for. Things such as being a ‘moderniser’ being one of the first to talk about climate change, his career in the navy, and founding the duke of Edinburgh award etc. It’s really interesting how he is being praised for being ‘pioneering’ and all the changes he made to the monarchy. They are also talking about how he was an ‘outsider’.
It’s really telling that the things that harry and Meghan are slandered and trashed for, such as being a moderniser, having a career, etc are the exact same things that Phillip is praised for. I know Phillip was trashed at the time, but a retrospective outlook really makes all the difference.
Oh, but see, Philip did it “the right way”, as in he ultimately folded in the face of the machinations of the grey suit brigade, led by the Queen Mother, who refused to relinquish her own grip on setting the tone with the royal family. They’re praising him bc they think he stayed quiet in the face of the multitude of indignities he faced, obediently walked 3 steps behind his wife, kept his b-tching to a minimum, and ultimately just wound up playing the long game until all the older grey suits died off and he got bumped up the roster by sheer seniority.
That’s the same sort of modernizing that W&K are getting set up to be praised for too, btw. Where they really just played the quiet, but cowardly, long game, where they’re putting up and shutting up, and following the prescribed hierarchy. Ofc, they’ll wind up modernizing a lot less than Philip at the end of the day, bc Kate doesn’t have a single creative bone in her body, nor does she have a drive to actually enact any type of change in the first place.
What is going uncommented on, ofc, is that Philip had no choice except to stay within the system he’d chosen to be a part of, which accounts for why he stuck it out. He had a lot more empathy for Diana than most people realize, for example, bc he knows what it’s like to have to dim your light for the sake of the overly fragile egos around you. But I wonder if things would have played out in the same way if Philip had entered the royal family today. Somehow, while I don’t think he’d have nope-ed the f-ck out of that joint, he would have been a lot more outspoken about the downsides of the system, and that would have come out into the public eye in a way that was avoided in the 50s.
You always have a choice. You may have to give up something but you always have a choice. People want the access and privilege so they stay. They don’t get prizes for that.
@Indywom, that you do. You always have a choice. Philip might have been trapped, but he had a choice–a choice to educate himself, a choice to move beyond the boundaries enforced upon him, a choice to become something else. It isn’t an easy choice to make, but it’s a choice all the same. He might not have ever known he had one, but he did have one.
too bad the UK tabloids wasted their time and energy on Meghan in the last years of his life. He had a lot to say that we could have learned from.
Rest In Peace HRH Prince Philip.
The only thing I’ll give him kudos for is his devotion to the World Wildlife Fund. He was the first president of WWF UK, from its establishment in 1961 through to 1982, and was president emeritus of WWF International until his death. His personal life was, however, a hot mess and I don’t doubt that there are a few offspring of his liaisons with other women who have chosen, or were paid, to remain silent.
Any proof or just in your mind
Long standing rumours – I’m old and remember them well. One concerned his deep friendship with cabaret artist Helene Cordet. They’d been friends since childhood and she refused to name the father of her two children conceived while separated from her first husband. Interestingly, Philip became godfather to both.
Will the mistress be at the funeral???
Who is that speculated to be?
Penny Knatchbull-Mountbatten, the wife of one of Lord Mountbatten’s surviving grandson.
De mortuis nihil nisi bonum. Of the dead speak nothing but good. It’s a value so old that it’s recorded in Latin.
I hope that the widow of a 73 year marriage is able to find comfort and peace in her remaining days. I hope that his children at age 60+ are able to feel the natural closure and fulfillment of 99 year life. I hope his grandchildren are able to treasure the years that they had in his company.
Sad news. Very difficult for the family I’m sure especially Queen E. The thoughts I have are if we will see the Queen gracefully show her true emotions or is she expected to remain stoic. Also I am interested to know the cause of death and if it is at all covid 19 related. Overall I hope the family uses this opportunity to truly grieve and also come together .
Lilibet married so much better than her unfortunate younger sister; if only Margaret had been found a Philip. Winner takes all.
Actually Elizabeth’s father, the king, was horrified at the teenage Elizabeth’s infatuation with the penniless Philip and tried many times to dissuade her but she wasn’t having it. I don’t think Philip was a perfect husband as it is understood today (he had lots of affairs but then the queen had some of her own) but they do seem to have made a good team in the long run.
Philip was a good man. I mean, yes, he had his issues and failings (toxic masculinity, racism, sexism…I could go on). But overall, he just wanted to do right by everyone. He was human and he made mistakes and he is definitely a product of his time but he cared about his family.
So as a small confession (that I hope we can all forget I made by the next time I make a post) – I am a very distant relative in the Russian, Greek, and Danish royal families. Romanov on my mom’s side, Danish on my dad’s side so he’s my 6ish cousin – once or twice removed on both sides. One thing the media never reported on is that he SHOWED UP regarding anything to do with assisting in the investigations into the killings of the Russian royals. Be it DNA, helping bankroll funerals for minor royals and even royal staff, he was there.
I tell you all of this to share my one memory of him in our singular meeting. I was 13 and there was a large family gathering my mom dragged me to the Ritz in Paris. (I think it was when they finally canonized Nicky & family in Russia or something like it) Well Philip decided to say hello and show up. He would show up at important family events on the DL and had to be careful because he gave up his claims to all other thrones. But he kept in touch when he could and it wouldn’t be a national security crisis.
So here I am in Paris at this glitzy family event. I do my normal people watching of just waiting for the first woman cousin to break a nail and flip out (these are rich aristocratic people, it happens all the time). I don’t know that Philip is there. I don’t even know I’m related to him at this point. He’s just the guy everyone is fawning over and tripping over to shake his hand. He comes over sits next to me and said he knows a “spy” when he sees one and asked what I was spying, my name and how we were related in that order. I gave him all the info requested and he proceeded to spend 5 minutes entertaining me with a story about a aunt of his in Greece who went into a catatonic depression when her favorite wig was destroyed. My mother finally came back over and was dumbfounded and yelled at me for bothering Philip in Danish and he replied back in Danish “I was bothering her!” before meandering off to go talk to the next loner relative. I know from where you all sit, you see a figurehead or the spouse of a out of touch figurehead but he really was just a human being. He was a black sheep who enjoyed sussing out the other black sheep in the room. He was crazy and fun. He was odd and proud of it. He lived a lot. He earned his rest.
Years of racism isn’t a mistake. Nor does caring about justice for other royals make a good man. It’s on brand. I’m glad you got along with your distant relative, but the Windsors and Mountbattens have caused tremendous harm and suffering in the world to serve their own wealth and best interests.
Form the looks of it, they have no intention of changing.
Care to elaborate?
Racism is never a mistake but what do you do when you’re told your family and bloodline is superior above all others? That messes with people.
Racism is not okay and as a parent to a biracial daughter, I have to check my privilege daily. However, what purpose does it serve to dehumanize an elite class of people who don’t even have the basic functions to plan their own trip abroad or pay for their own meal? Hating them is fine and they deserve hate from a lot of quarters. Philip definitely earned some of the hate against him. However, I draw the line at dehumanizing anyone, even if they dehumanize others.
Thank for that story, it’s a wonderful way to remember him.
I love this! Thanks for sharing @NotSoSimpleTaylor. It says a lot about the man when he will beeline toward one of the youngest people in the room and sit with you in order to make you feel comfortable and included. I also promise to forget this little story next time you post, as requested.
He really does seem to have been kind when coming across children. There’s the story of him playing with JFK junior during the time after the funeral and a picture of him holding his hand at a ceremony.
He was certainly problematic. But I suspect he didn’t conceal it as much as others try to. he is not anywhere at the top of the ranks of terrible people in the royal family.
What a great anecdote, NSST! A small and very telling snapshot of a man who sought to break the ice and put a young person at ease. A great memory for you. Thank you for that. And I remember at the time when he was one of those who gave a blood sample for DNA to help identify the remains of the Romanov royal family. I was enthralled by that story.
I am British and the Duke’s death has really shaken me. He was a part of my life. My cousin, years ago, received her Duke of Edinburgh award from him and said yesterday about the interest he took in her and questions he asked when presenting the award. Another more distant cousin was introduced to him when she was a helper years ago at a Commonwealth Games. Again, she liked him. My Church minister preached in the summer of 2016 at Crathie Church in front of him and the Queen. She also spent two nights at Balmoral that weekend – usual practice for the visiting minister. Anne wasn’t there (chest infection) nor were the Cambridges and presumably not Harry. The rest were. She liked them all except, she managed to get across very discreetly, the Yorks – none of the Yorks.
I don’t know if people outside Britain know that he was treated like dirt by the British establishment and they called him “the Hun”. Unlike Victoria’s consort, his name was not given to the RF. It stayed Windsor.
Some people say he was actually quite a shy man. The Kennedys said this after meeting him in 1961.
By the way, on our BBC, the main British TV channel, it has ALL been about HM and her children. It was on the news running across the TV that William was not taking part in a film award thing on tomorrow and it’s been mentioned today about Harry going to the funeral but not Meghan but that is the only mention grandchildren have had. Nothing about William being in on funeral plans or anything. Charles spoke movingly about his father tonight and the other sons and Sophie have been seeing the Queen and Anne has also been on TV giving her bit, although that could have been done before his death. Charles seems to be very much running it all though.
Just to add Philip, in his heyday, one summer passed along our local canal in a yacht/boat with the young Charles and Anne. My mother went up to see them pass. He was steering or whatever it is called the boat and mother was absolutely dazzled by his Greek God looks.
RIP Duke.of Edinburgh.
Ref above the establishment were awful to him at the time of his marriage and the first years HM was Queen.
His death not covid related. I would say heart failure but who knows. I think he came home to die after the hospital but the actual end seems to have been sudden but.. who really knows?
My condolences to the entire Royal Family. Prince Philip transitioned on the anniversary of Vimy Ridge. One supposed it is mere coincidence.