She was the shy, dutiful and serious future Queen of the UK, he was the exuberant, outspoken and penniless exiled Prince of Greece. Although third cousins, they had completely different childhoods and personalities which helped them create a love story that defeated the time.
They met when Elizabeth was only 13 and visiting the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth with her parents and sister. He was 18 at the time. The next time they met was when Philip came to see Elizabeth perform in the annual Christmas pantomime at Windsor. After that, they started writing regularly to one another as he joined the Royal Navy as a cadet.
After World War II, Philip began to visit Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Even though they were always seen in the company of friends and Elizabeth’s sister, Margaret, the rumors of them dating began to appear.
The rumors of an engagement started in 1946. Initially, the King and Queen (Elizabeth’s parents) didn’t seem to like Philip, but after getting to know him a little better, they grew to appreciate his direct manner, humor, and love for the countryside.
In October 1946, the alleged couple attended the wedding of Lord Mountbatten’s daughter Patricia. Elizabeth was a bridesmaid and Philip was an usher. Lord Mountbatten was the matchmaker for Elizabeth and Philip’s relationship.
Their engagement was announced on July 10th, 1947 with the wedding planned to take place in November.
Philip had abandoned his Greek and Danish royal titles to become a naturalized British citizen. On the Eve of the wedding, King George bestowed upon him the honorific “His Royal Highness” and awarded him the Order of the Garter. On the wedding morning, he was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich.
Wedding guests, royal families from all over the world, attended the ceremony. Between the big names attending it, the Queen of Spain, the King of Romania, the King and Queen of Denmark, and the Kings of Norway and Iraq.
On November 20, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, married Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth in a ceremony broadcast on the radio and important moments even shown on TV. The wedding cake was 2.47m high and weighed 227kg. They spent their honeymoon at Brimhall and their first house was Windlesham Moor, while they waited for Clarence House to be remodeled.
The couple welcomed four children: Charles Philip Arthur George (November 14th, 1948), Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise (August 15th, 1950), Andrew Albert Christian Edward (February 19th, 1960), and Edward Antony Richard Louis (March 10th, 1964).
Their love story is marked by hard work, tragedy, love, and happiness. Elizabeth became Queen with her husband beside her. Throughout the years they faced many challenges. The burning of Windsor Castle, the divorce between Charles and Diana, and the tragic death of the Princess of Hearts. The press wasn’t easy about their relationship.
The longest monarch in the history of the United Kingdom is a huge accomplishment, but maintaining a promise for 74 years is the most amazing thing the Queen and the Duke brought to the world. A love story, a fairy tale love story between ‘Lilibet’ and Philip.
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