Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip —who were married for 74 years—were dubbed the "most adorable couple" by Prince Harry.
Prince Philip's death in April 2021 was a day of great sorrow to many, but the one person most affected by the death of the Duke of Edinburgh was none other than his wife, Queen Elizabeth ||. He was 99 at the time of his death.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip —who were married for 74 years—were dubbed the "most adorable couple" by Prince Harry in previews for the BBC One documentary Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, and honestly, it is the truth.
According to PEOPLE, the Queen first met her husband in 1934 when she was a child. Five years later, they met for the third time when Elizabeth was 13 years old, and that's when she knew she was deeply in love with 18-year-old Philip. But, they'd have to wait another five years, if they wanted to pursue their relationship. The two lovebirds officially announced their engagement on July 9, 1947.
Four months later, on November 20, the two got married. "Looking at the wedding photo, I mean, it's amazing to see their partnership and just what a good-looking couple," marveled Princess Eugenie. She then revealed that Philip made her own wedding in 2018 extra special when he gave a picture of a bunch of flowers he'd painted himself.
For four years after their wedding, with Elizabeth's father still reigning as King George VI, the two enjoyed marital bliss, but the unexpected passing of Elizabeth's father elevated her to Queen. Elizabeth was just 25 years old at the time, and already mother to 3-year-old Prince Charles and 1-year-old Princess Anne.
Eventually, Philip had to leave his naval career behind, so he could delve into the relatively uncharted waters of his new role as the consort of the British monarch. Prince William added, "One of the things I do really admire him for is the fact that he gave up a very, very successful military career to be the Queen's consort and support her and go into service and duty in a different way. It was very much a man's world back then. So for a man to give up his career to support a woman, albeit the Queen, was still quite a big step."
Prince Philip had no idea what he had to do, as the Queen's husband, but eventually he made his own way! From Zara Tindall's perspective, "I think the amazing thing that he's been able to do is to be an incredible support to my grandmother but to stay true to himself all the way through. And that's what our grandmother needed. You know, that's why they worked so well together. And why they fell in love with each other, I think."
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, a future consort herself, noted, "I saw the way he supported the Queen, and not in a flashy sort of way but just by doing it quietly and then following along behind. It's something that I've learned by watching him." Camilla's husband, future King Charles, then agreed that the Queen "did find him a great support, and I think she valued his judgment on some things."
Eugenie finally said, "Looking at this and now realizing how much they've created ... they're one of the most remarkable couples I think the world has ever seen and will ever see. And Granny has been able to be the person she is with the support and love from Grandpa."
They say, behind every man, there's a woman, but in this case, it's the exact opposite, and that's what makes Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip extra special!
References:
https://people.com/royals/queen-elizabeth-prince-philip-love-story-told-by-royal-family-members/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Leon Neal-WPA Pool
