Leon Neal / Associated PressTake a look back at the long life of Prince Philip, loyal husband of Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh, in the royal spotlight.
Keystone / Getty ImagesDecades ago, then 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth and 26-year-old Prince Philip married at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947. The two have been together for over 70 years, making it the longest royal union in British history.
Topical Press Agency / Getty ImagesPrincess Elizabeth, Prince Philip and members of the Royal Family posed for a wedding picture at Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
Keystone / Getty ImagesPrince Philip asked King George VI for his daughter's hand in marriage in the summer of 1946. The king accepted his proposal, on the condition that Philip wait for any formal engagement to happen until Elizabeth's 21st birthday, on April 21, 1947, which he did.
Keystone / Getty ImagesPrince Philip attended the Royal Naval College, where he graduated in 1940 as one of the top cadets in his course.
Keystone / Getty ImagesPhilip, pictured here in his naval uniform on Oct. 20, 1949, joined the Royal Navy in 1939 at the age of 18 and served during World War II.
Keystone / Getty ImagesPhilip and Elizabeth had their first child together, Prince Charles (L), on Nov. 14, 1948. Two years later they had Princess Anne (R), followed by Prince Edward in 1964 and Prince Andrew in 1970.
Lisa Sheridan / Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip pose with their two oldest children, Princess Anne (R) and Prince Charles (L) outside Balmoral Castle on Sep. 19, 1952.
APPrincess Fedora of Greece, left, King Michael and his mother Princess Helene, Princess Irene of Greece, Princess Marguerite of Greece, Prince Philip of Greece and Prince Paul of Greece enjoy a holiday at Mamaia, Romania on Sept. 8, 1928.
APPrince Philip of Greece, during a naval visit to Melbourne, Australia in Aug. 29, 1945.
Nick Sorrentino / New York Daily NewsEngland's royalty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stand with Lewis Douglas (R), former chairman of the Pilgrims Society, at a dinner honoring the Queen in New York City in 1957.
Harry Shepherd / Getty ImagesPrince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II relax with their children Prince Charles, 11, and Princess Anne, 9, on the grounds of the Windsor Castle in Berkshire.
Hulton Archive / Getty ImagesTrotting around London, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II returned to Buckingham Palace after the Trooping The Colour ceremony, which celebrates the Sovereign's birthday, on June 12, 1965.
George W. Hales / Getty ImagesUp and away! Prince Philip enjoys many things, and flying is one of them. On July 29, 1965, the Duke of Edinburgh is pictured at the controls of the Royal helicopter.
APThe Duke of Edinburgh poses for a photo as he observes his 35th birthday anniversary in Buckingham Palace, London on June 10, 1956.
Keystone / Getty ImagesPrince Philip is also an avid artist and created many oil paintings over the years. One of his paintings was called "Her Majesty the Queen at Breakfast," which showed the Queen having breakfast in a private dining room at Windsor Castle.
Fox Photos / Getty ImagesPrince Philip served as the British royal consort for seven decades. In that time, he stood by the Queen in her official duties and worldwide appearances, as well as worked on organizations that focused on the environment, athletics and education. Philip served as the President of the National Playing Fields Association, a British charity now known as the Fields in Trust, for more than 65 years. He was also President of the World Wildlife Fund from 1981 to 1996.
Associated PressPrince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II pose next to Zairian leader Mobutu Sese Seko (R), and his wife, Marie-Antoinette Mobutu, at Buckingham Palace in 1973.
APBritain's Prince Philip shakes hands with Ringo Starr as co-Beatles from left, George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney look on, at the Empire Ballroom in London, England on March 23, 1964.
Anwar Hussein / Getty ImagesPrince Philip (L) accompanied Queen Elizabeth II (R) during a visit with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy in 1983.
Tim Graham / Getty ImagesThe Royal couple stood on the Great Wall of China during a visit in October of 1986.
APLt. Philip Mountbatten bats at the nets during cricket practice at the Petty Officers' Training Center, Corsham, England on July 31, 1947.
Tim Graham / Getty ImagesPrince Philip founded the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in 1956, which has since expanded to 144 nations. The awards honor young people who completed a series of self-improvement exercises that were meant to give them a sense of responsibility to themselves and their communities. Here, the Prince poses with the Queen in Windsor Castle.
Tim Graham / Getty ImagesPrince Philip stands with two of his eight grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Harry, along with the Queen, Prince Charles and Princess Diana on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour.
APLt. Philip Mountbatten, center, inspects his men at the Petty Officers' Training Center at Corsham, England on July 31, 1947.
Anwar Hussein / Getty ImagesPrince Philip sat with Queen Elizabeth and former U.S. President Bill Clinton at a banquet at Portsmouth Guildhall to commemorate D-Day on May 4, 1994.
Tim Graham / Getty ImagesAnother one of Prince Philip's hobbies is horse racing, which he competed in often. On May 18, 1997, Prince Philip took part in the Royal Windsor Horse show on the grounds of Windsor Castle with a team of the Queen's horses.
AFP / Getty ImagesThe world mourned as they watched Prince Philip (L) accompany his son Prince Charles (R) and two grandchildren, Prince Harry (2R) and Prince William (2L), to Princess Diana's funeral on Sept. 6, 1997. Also in attendance was Charles Spencer (C), Diana's younger brother.
-/AFP via Getty ImagesUndated photo of Prince Philip of Greece, then a student, who would become Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh.
Dennis Cook / Associated PressPrince Philip visited the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia on May 15, 1991, and can be seen here squinting through the sight of a TOW missile launcher.
Ron Case/Getty ImagesPrince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is greeted as he arrives at London Airport, on May 16, 1952.
Anwar Hussein / Getty ImagesFormer President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama joined Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for a State Banquet on May 24, 2011, in London. They posed for a quick photo in the music room of Buckingham Palace.
Henny Ray Abrams / Associated PressOver the years, Prince Philip became known for his gaffes and unfiltered commentary, including when he told the president of Nigeria, who was dressed in traditional robes, "You look like you're ready for bed!"
Tim Sloan / AFP / Getty ImagesPrince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II welcomed former U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush during the full State arrival ceremony at Buckingham Palace in Nov. 2003.
-/AFP via Getty ImagesUndated portrait of Prince Philip of Greece, later Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh.
Tim Graham / Getty ImagesThe Royal family pose for the official wedding photograph of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
Hugo Burnand / AFP /Getty ImagesIt was another royal affair on April 29, 2011, for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. This was the official family portrait taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace.
-/AFP via Getty ImagesPrince Philip of Edinburgh, on leave in England, played polo on August 7, 1950, a few days before the birth of his second child.
Paul Grover / WPA Pool / Getty ImagesPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and Life Member of the Grenadier Guards Association, visits the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards on Feb. 24, 2014 in Aldershot, England.
Victor Blackman / Getty ImagesPrince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II have both spoken about their long-lasting marriage, with Philip once saying in 2006, "It's the secret of a happy marriage to have different interests." In 1972, the Queen noted, "If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction, I am for it."
WPA Pool / Getty ImagesPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Tom Cruise shake hands during a dinner to mark the 75th anniversary of the Outward Bound Trust at Buckingham Palace on Mar. 8, 2017 in London, England.
Antony Jones / Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend The Royal Windsor Cup 2018 polo match at Guards Polo Club on June 24, 2018 in Egham, England.
Alexi Lubomirski/APThis photo released by Kensington Palace on Monday May 21, 2018 shows an official wedding photo of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, center, in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. (from left, back row) Jasper Dyer; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles; Doria Ragland; Prince William; (center row) Brian Mulroney; Prince Philip; Queen Elizabeth II; Kate, Duchess of Cambridge; Princess Charlotte; Prince George; and various other children are present.
APDuke of Edinburgh controls a Blackburn military transport plane a few minutes before a fire extinguisher burst and filled the cockpit with choking fumes on April 11, 1956.
WPA Pool / Getty ImagesLady Louise Windsor, left, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, James, Viscount Severn, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Michael of Kent, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Princess Royal wave after the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.
Adrian Dennis/APBritain's Prince Philip arrives for a ceremony for the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles from himself to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Windsor Castle, England on July 22, 2020.
Steve Parsons/APBritain's Queen Elizabeth II (L) and Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh pose for a photo together on June 1, 2020, in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, ahead of his 99th birthday on Wednesday, June 10.
WPA Pool/Getty ImagesPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrives for his visit to Richmond Adult Community College in Richmond on June 8, 2015 in London, England.
Lefteris Pitarakis/APIn this June 14, 2014 file photo, Britain's Prince Harry talks to Prince Philip as members of the Royal family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, during the Trooping The Colour parade, in central London.- Leon Neal / Associated PressTake a look back at the long life of Prince Philip, loyal husband of Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh, in the royal spotlight.
- Lefteris Pitarakis/APIn this June 14, 2014 file photo, Britain's Prince Harry talks to Prince Philip as members of the Royal family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, during the Trooping The Colour parade, in central London.
- Keystone / Getty ImagesDecades ago, then 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth and 26-year-old Prince Philip married at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947. The two have been together for over 70 years, making it the longest royal union in British history.
- Topical Press Agency / Getty ImagesPrincess Elizabeth, Prince Philip and members of the Royal Family posed for a wedding picture at Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
- Keystone / Getty ImagesPrince Philip asked King George VI for his daughter's hand in marriage in the summer of 1946. The king accepted his proposal, on the condition that Philip wait for any formal engagement to happen until Elizabeth's 21st birthday, on April 21, 1947, which he did.
- Keystone / Getty ImagesPrince Philip attended the Royal Naval College, where he graduated in 1940 as one of the top cadets in his course.
- Keystone / Getty ImagesPhilip, pictured here in his naval uniform on Oct. 20, 1949, joined the Royal Navy in 1939 at the age of 18 and served during World War II.
- Keystone / Getty ImagesPhilip and Elizabeth had their first child together, Prince Charles (L), on Nov. 14, 1948. Two years later they had Princess Anne (R), followed by Prince Edward in 1964 and Prince Andrew in 1970.
- Lisa Sheridan / Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip pose with their two oldest children, Princess Anne (R) and Prince Charles (L) outside Balmoral Castle on Sep. 19, 1952.
- APPrincess Fedora of Greece, left, King Michael and his mother Princess Helene, Princess Irene of Greece, Princess Marguerite of Greece, Prince Philip of Greece and Prince Paul of Greece enjoy a holiday at Mamaia, Romania on Sept. 8, 1928.
- APPrince Philip of Greece, during a naval visit to Melbourne, Australia in Aug. 29, 1945.
- Nick Sorrentino / New York Daily NewsEngland's royalty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stand with Lewis Douglas (R), former chairman of the Pilgrims Society, at a dinner honoring the Queen in New York City in 1957.
- Harry Shepherd / Getty ImagesPrince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II relax with their children Prince Charles, 11, and Princess Anne, 9, on the grounds of the Windsor Castle in Berkshire.
- Hulton Archive / Getty ImagesTrotting around London, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II returned to Buckingham Palace after the Trooping The Colour ceremony, which celebrates the Sovereign's birthday, on June 12, 1965.
- George W. Hales / Getty ImagesUp and away! Prince Philip enjoys many things, and flying is one of them. On July 29, 1965, the Duke of Edinburgh is pictured at the controls of the Royal helicopter.
- APThe Duke of Edinburgh poses for a photo as he observes his 35th birthday anniversary in Buckingham Palace, London on June 10, 1956.
- Keystone / Getty ImagesPrince Philip is also an avid artist and created many oil paintings over the years. One of his paintings was called "Her Majesty the Queen at Breakfast," which showed the Queen having breakfast in a private dining room at Windsor Castle.
- Fox Photos / Getty ImagesPrince Philip served as the British royal consort for seven decades. In that time, he stood by the Queen in her official duties and worldwide appearances, as well as worked on organizations that focused on the environment, athletics and education. Philip served as the President of the National Playing Fields Association, a British charity now known as the Fields in Trust, for more than 65 years. He was also President of the World Wildlife Fund from 1981 to 1996.
- Associated PressPrince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II pose next to Zairian leader Mobutu Sese Seko (R), and his wife, Marie-Antoinette Mobutu, at Buckingham Palace in 1973.
- APBritain's Prince Philip shakes hands with Ringo Starr as co-Beatles from left, George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney look on, at the Empire Ballroom in London, England on March 23, 1964.
- Anwar Hussein / Getty ImagesPrince Philip (L) accompanied Queen Elizabeth II (R) during a visit with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy in 1983.
- Tim Graham / Getty ImagesThe Royal couple stood on the Great Wall of China during a visit in October of 1986.
- APLt. Philip Mountbatten bats at the nets during cricket practice at the Petty Officers' Training Center, Corsham, England on July 31, 1947.
- Tim Graham / Getty ImagesPrince Philip founded the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in 1956, which has since expanded to 144 nations. The awards honor young people who completed a series of self-improvement exercises that were meant to give them a sense of responsibility to themselves and their communities. Here, the Prince poses with the Queen in Windsor Castle.
- Tim Graham / Getty ImagesPrince Philip stands with two of his eight grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Harry, along with the Queen, Prince Charles and Princess Diana on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour.
- APLt. Philip Mountbatten, center, inspects his men at the Petty Officers' Training Center at Corsham, England on July 31, 1947.
- Anwar Hussein / Getty ImagesPrince Philip sat with Queen Elizabeth and former U.S. President Bill Clinton at a banquet at Portsmouth Guildhall to commemorate D-Day on May 4, 1994.
- Tim Graham / Getty ImagesAnother one of Prince Philip's hobbies is horse racing, which he competed in often. On May 18, 1997, Prince Philip took part in the Royal Windsor Horse show on the grounds of Windsor Castle with a team of the Queen's horses.
- AFP / Getty ImagesThe world mourned as they watched Prince Philip (L) accompany his son Prince Charles (R) and two grandchildren, Prince Harry (2R) and Prince William (2L), to Princess Diana's funeral on Sept. 6, 1997. Also in attendance was Charles Spencer (C), Diana's younger brother.
- -/AFP via Getty ImagesUndated photo of Prince Philip of Greece, then a student, who would become Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh.
- Dennis Cook / Associated PressPrince Philip visited the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia on May 15, 1991, and can be seen here squinting through the sight of a TOW missile launcher.
- Ron Case/Getty ImagesPrince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is greeted as he arrives at London Airport, on May 16, 1952.
- Anwar Hussein / Getty ImagesFormer President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama joined Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for a State Banquet on May 24, 2011, in London. They posed for a quick photo in the music room of Buckingham Palace.
- Henny Ray Abrams / Associated PressOver the years, Prince Philip became known for his gaffes and unfiltered commentary, including when he told the president of Nigeria, who was dressed in traditional robes, "You look like you're ready for bed!"
- Tim Sloan / AFP / Getty ImagesPrince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II welcomed former U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush during the full State arrival ceremony at Buckingham Palace in Nov. 2003.
- -/AFP via Getty ImagesUndated portrait of Prince Philip of Greece, later Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh.
- Tim Graham / Getty ImagesThe Royal family pose for the official wedding photograph of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
- Hugo Burnand / AFP /Getty ImagesIt was another royal affair on April 29, 2011, for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. This was the official family portrait taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace.
- -/AFP via Getty ImagesPrince Philip of Edinburgh, on leave in England, played polo on August 7, 1950, a few days before the birth of his second child.
- Paul Grover / WPA Pool / Getty ImagesPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and Life Member of the Grenadier Guards Association, visits the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards on Feb. 24, 2014 in Aldershot, England.
- Victor Blackman / Getty ImagesPrince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II have both spoken about their long-lasting marriage, with Philip once saying in 2006, "It's the secret of a happy marriage to have different interests." In 1972, the Queen noted, "If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction, I am for it."
- WPA Pool / Getty ImagesPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Tom Cruise shake hands during a dinner to mark the 75th anniversary of the Outward Bound Trust at Buckingham Palace on Mar. 8, 2017 in London, England.
- Antony Jones / Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend The Royal Windsor Cup 2018 polo match at Guards Polo Club on June 24, 2018 in Egham, England.
- Alexi Lubomirski/APThis photo released by Kensington Palace on Monday May 21, 2018 shows an official wedding photo of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, center, in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. (from left, back row) Jasper Dyer; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles; Doria Ragland; Prince William; (center row) Brian Mulroney; Prince Philip; Queen Elizabeth II; Kate, Duchess of Cambridge; Princess Charlotte; Prince George; and various other children are present.
- APDuke of Edinburgh controls a Blackburn military transport plane a few minutes before a fire extinguisher burst and filled the cockpit with choking fumes on April 11, 1956.
- WPA Pool / Getty ImagesLady Louise Windsor, left, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, James, Viscount Severn, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Michael of Kent, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Princess Royal wave after the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.
- Adrian Dennis/APBritain's Prince Philip arrives for a ceremony for the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles from himself to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Windsor Castle, England on July 22, 2020.
- Steve Parsons/APBritain's Queen Elizabeth II (L) and Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh pose for a photo together on June 1, 2020, in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, ahead of his 99th birthday on Wednesday, June 10.
- WPA Pool/Getty ImagesPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrives for his visit to Richmond Adult Community College in Richmond on June 8, 2015 in London, England.
Leon Neal / Associated Press
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Take a look back at the long life of Prince Philip, loyal husband of Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh, in the royal spotlight.
ExpandBy David Matthews | [email protected] | For Chicago Magazine
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Prince Harry returned to the United Kingdom on Sunday ahead of the funeral for his grandfather Prince Phillip.
Phillip, 99, died Friday.
Meghan Markle, Harry’s wife who is pregnant with the couple’s second child, was not medically cleared to travel with him, according to Entertainment Tonight.
Harry, Meghan and their son Archie moved to California in March 2020.
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In March 2021, Markle told interviewer Oprah Winfrey that members of the British royal family had made racist comments toward her.
Phillip, who was hospitalized in Feb. 2021, will be buried after a funeral at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin, covered with His Royal Highness’s Personal Standard and dressed with a wreath of flowers, is resting in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle, where it will remain until the day of the Funeral,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement last week.
King Henry VIII and one of his wives, Jane Seymour, and King George VI, Queen Elizabeth’s father and Phillip’s father-in-law, are buried at St. George’s Chapel. According to Cosmopolitan, Phillip maybe be buried there as well or at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Elizabeth and Phillip were married for 74 years prior to his death.