He was by her side, or a couple of respectful steps behind, during thousands of engagements over seven decades. Even when physically apart, this was a couple deeply in love who were always emotionally together.
Everyone from family members to flag-wavers knew the Queen and Prince Philip’s bond was unwavering.
It was not conveyed in public displays of affection, which were certainly not their style.
But it was obvious in the way they accepted long spells apart, both understanding there was no room for neediness in a marriage where one had an innate sense of duty and the other an immense need for time away from the Crown and crowd.
Theirs was a love so strong it survived everything from intense worldwide scrutiny to family scandals.
It began, according to Princess Elizabeth’s childhood governess Marion “Crawfie” Crawford, because the future queen was attracted to teenage Philip Mountbatten’s athleticism and “Viking” good looks of blond hair and blue eyes.
They were introduced when he escorted Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret around Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in 1939. Friends said he showed off, jumping the tennis nets.
In her memoir, The Little Princesses, Crawfie said Elizabeth was so impressed she exclaimed: “How good he is, Crawfie. How high he can jump.”
Crawfie said whenever he came aboard the King’s royal yacht for meals Elizabeth turned “pink-faced”.
Philip had fallen just as hard. He wrote beautiful love letters to Elizabeth while serving as one of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy throughout the Second World War.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 10, 2021-Ausgabe von Daily Mirror.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 10, 2021-Ausgabe von Daily Mirror.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
LEICSTARS
Choudhury salutes fans as Foxes celebrate Championship title and Prem return
IN LA LIGA OF THEIR OWN
How Real bounced back to win their 36th Spanish title and put Barca in the shade
TROY 'FINE' AFTER FLOP
CITY OF TROY \"seems fine\" after his shock defeat in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.
WIL POWERS INTO LEAD
Weary Jones is blitzed in the opening session as Wilson puts one hand on the trophy
I'm 35 & feel my maternal clock ticking
Strictly Katya on quest for work-life balance
£200M cocaine haul recovered by Navy warship
A ROYAL Navy warship seized cocaine worth more than £200million after a dramatic chase in the Caribbean.
Billie stylish
FOR three years, fans followed Billie Shepherd on reality TV as she inched towards her dream home, a mansion she helped decorate as it was lovingly restored.
REFRESHING THE PUBS...
Heineken reopens 62 'lost' boozers
MY CELL MATE
Cancer sufferer crosses ocean to thank his donor
Travel turmoil as train drivers strike over pay
STRIKES will disrupt rail and tram travel this week due to industrial action.