Lady Prudence Penn praised the deceased Prince and his devotion to the Queen and his duties.
The death of Prince Philip broke the hearts of many around the globe, but not as much as it devastated Queen Elizabeth, who not only lost her partner of 73 years but also her constant pillar of support and strength. Recently, a former lady-in-waiting for the Queen spoke of Prince Philip, his dedication to the Queen, and how he stood by her while she carried the responsibilities of the throne on her shoulders.
According to People, 95-year-old Lady Prudence Penn told the Duke of Edinburgh that the Prince was chosen and made by God for Queen Elizabeth. Speaking to Tatler, she stated, "To my mind, the Duke of Edinburgh was a heaven-sent consort for Her Majesty in every way."
She added, "Any task he took on, he tackled with enthusiasm and skill. In many ways, I always felt that there were great similarities between him and his predecessor Prince Albert, the prince consort. I actually said that to him at the time and he decried it. I think I was right."
Lady Prudence also revealed the trick Prince Philip used to make sure his wife was ready and bursting with confidence before she appeared for any royal engagement.
"I loved the way he would boost the Queen’s ego by telling her how lovely she looked on their way to an engagement," she said. "He knew how to bring the best out of a woman, and I am sure his advice and encouragement to her were paramount in their relationship," Lady Prudence added, according to Daily Mail.
Further, she went on to reminisce about the Prince and her experiences with him. "He was one of the most practical men I have ever met. He was intensely interested in so many things, always curious to know more and, if possible, to make improvements," she said.
She also narrated an incident to demonstrate the greatness of his personality. "On one occasion he dropped in for lunch with me at my house in Scotland en route to a carriage driving event. It so happened that a few days before, I had broken my leg and it was in plaster," wrote the close friend of the Queen. She added, "I had been trapped in my walled garden, the door having jammed, and the only way I could think to escape was to climb onto a low stone wall and jump down the other side – a drop of about 10 feet. It was the wrong decision."
She continued, "After lunch, he wanted to inspect the scene of the accident and, in his usual practical way, explained to me how I should have handled the situation: 'Never launch yourself off a high wall, turn around to face it holding the top and lower yourself with your hands.' With hindsight, of course, he was right."
She praised him for being devoted to his duties and paying no heed to what people thought about him. "He was totally consistent. You knew where you were with him. He cared not a jot for what people thought of him. He got on with the job."
Prince Philip passed away on April 17, 2021. His funeral was scaled down due to the pandemic. Ironically, many close to Philip believed it was perfect the way it was as he wouldn't have wanted anything upscale. Lady Prudence, too, believed the same.
"He had always wanted to have a lower-key funeral than that which was ordained for him, and due to current circumstances, he got his wish. It was a funeral that proved to be one of the most moving, fitting, and memorable occasions," she said.
References:
https://people.com/royals/queen-elizabeth-lady-in-waiting-calls-prince-philip-heaven-sent-consort/
https://www.tatler.com/article/prince-philip-july-2021
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Oli Scarff
