Prince William obviously participated in the BBC’s special about the life and times of Prince Philip. The special airs today in the UK, and it features interviews with all of Philip and Elizabeth’s children (including Prince Andrew) and many of the grandchildren, including William, Harry, Zara Tindall and more. The interviews are not revealing any piping hot tea or anything, it’s mostly just family memories and such. But I found these quotes from William rather curious:
The Duke of Cambridge has revealed how much he “admired” the Duke of Edinburgh for “giving up his career” when he married the Queen.
Speaking in an interview recorded for Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers , which airs on BBC One on Wednesday, Prince William reflected on his grandfather’s career in the Royal Navy.
“One of the things I do admire him for is that he gave up a very successful military career to be the Queen’s consort and support her and to go into service and duty in a different way,” he said.
“It was very much a ‘man’s world’ back then so for a man to give up his career to support a woman –albeit a queen – was still quite a big step.”
Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy aged 18 in 1939. During the Second World War, he served with distinction in the British Mediterranean and Pacific fleets. He left active military service when Queen Elizabeth was coronated in 1952. Philip went on to become the longest-serving British royal consort until he died aged 99 in April this year.
It’s true, Philip gave up his naval career to be the Queen’s consort. Philip knew it would have to happen eventually, but he was surprised by how quickly. He threw himself into trying to modernize the monarchy and he obviously had many, many side interests. I don’t know… I find it interesting that William spoke about Philip “giving up his career” to support his wife. Something William would never do – give up anything for a woman. Then again, William never had much of a career to give up for anyone.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, WENN.
On that level I find Philip fascinating. He was no great feminist I’m sure. Elizabeth set her sights on him and in his position he’d have been a fool to say no to this marriage opportunity, but as a good looking man and I suspect quite traditional in his thinking, it mst have been a constant battle with his ego to be outranked by his wife and children. Don’t get me wrong I am not expressing sympathy, just fascination.
I kind of think it was aimed at Harry as a dig.
“One of the things I do admire him for is that he gave up a very successful military career to be the Queen’s consort (substitute “MY (helper)”) and support her (substitute ME) and to go into service and duty in a different way,” he said.
TOBB will ALWAYS be salty about the fact Harry didn’t “fall in line” on his sword and keep cleaning up for his brother for the rest of his life.
OGJan- yep. Definitely a dig at Harry. This statement is a clear indication that Wills expects everyone else to give up whatever the monarch asks them to give up.
Wills absolutely wanted Harry and Meghan to not outshine him and Kate. And Wills also expected H&M to put up with whatever smears came their way…in order to cover for Wills’ indiscretions.
But the thing is Harry actually DID give up his career for the monarchy. He loved being in the army but quit to be a “full time working royal” before William did and instead of being grateful for his service they tried to destroy his family.
I think you’re completely right, it was a dig at Harry. I missed that the first time around but i think you nailed it.
@(TheOG), That is what it sounds like. Not shocking that William is practicing revisionist history again like he did with Diana. Philip giving up his military career wasn’t really something he wanted to do.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-10266717
In 1947, the War finally over, Philip married Princess Elizabeth.
When he landed a role on HMS Chequers, a destroyer based in Malta, there came happy carefree times for both of them.
And in 1950, after being promoted to lieutenant commander, the duke finally took command of his own ship, the frigate HMS Magpie.
But within a year, his naval career was over.
He found himself having to support Princess Elizabeth when she took on more royal duties as the King’s health declined.
“At that time, I had not thought that was going to be the end of a sort of naval career,” he later said.
“And that sort of crept upon me. And it became more and more obvious that I could not go back to it.
“But it’s no good regretting things. It simply didn’t happen.
“And I’ve been doing other things instead.”
I don’t think so.
Not everything William says or does has to be a subtweet of H&M. He is stating a very real fact about the time when his grandparents were married and that it was probably hard on Philips ego. I think we can take that at face value.
Meanwhile, on Planet Earth, we are all waiting for Wills and Kate to start behaving as something resembling a “working royal”, much less a consort. Definitely a dig at Harry.
Agree @Bettyrose. I don’t have any sympathy or good feelings for Philip personally, who was extremely racist, arrogant and selfish, a bully to Charles and most likely to all of his family, and a cheater, as well as a fully paid-up member of the worst of the British establishment and social class entitlement, et cetera.
But I think he was also a very complex man (compared to others in his family) who came from a difficult (to say the least) childhood, made a lot of influential choices for the monarchy in a highly visible role throughout a long, long stretch of significant history, and worked (as much as any royal “works”, LOL) far harder than any of the younger generation of royals. Frankly I’d rather the Crown TV series spent more time with Philip and less with Elizabeth, who except for her role seems the very definition of basic.
Hmmm, I always thought Philip set his sights on Elizabeth, probably at the urging of his uncle. I read he started writing to her, after meeting her, when she was 13 and he was 18. Maybe that was just old gossip.
That could be, but I always had the sense that she was in love with him from minute one and he was marrying for strategic advantage (but not expecting to become a consort for many years).
I think it was both. I think she was in love with him from the time they met and his uncle saw that and encouraged the relationship for strategic advantage.
I think Elizabeth really wanted Phillip. That’s the impression I get from every documentary I’ve ever seen.
It’s good she got the guy she wanted, because everything else about the experience of Queen seems a little boring and/or depressing (even with the oodles of money attached to the role). I’ve wondered how things might have turned out for her if she had been in a marriage with someone she didn’t like that much like Charles or Margaret.
@Becks1- He should’ve tried not to be so handsome and dashing around a sheltered 13 year old girl. All of us who remember being 13 know how easily we gave our hearts away. Honestly, if Rick Astley had walked off the fan pages and into my house, I wouldn’t have let go of him either and he’d totally be my consort right now. (Most of us were much less sheltered than Liz at 13, but didn’t have quite the sway to choose our future husbands).
I can only guess, but if Philip hadn’t married Liz and had a big naval career instead, surely he still would’ve married a swooning incredibly wealthy heiress with his looks and charm. I don’t think being racist or sexist was a deal breaker in those circles (is it even now?)
PP was angry about the fact that his OWN children wouldn’t carry on his family name.
I interpret these comments from TOB as blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada, and yup, yup, yup, and uurrr, uurrr, uurr and yes! In addition to, allow me to kiss the asses of everyone who happens to be the Men in Grey, TQ and RR as well, since I am offering myself up on a platter!!
Right. It’s being framed like this was some altruistic choice he made. There is more than enough content out there from credible sources-himself being one- that it was more of a decision made for him. He did a good job supporting her.
Interesting Guardian piece after Philip passed.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/10/prince-philip-was-a-rarity-in-public-life-the-man-walking-two-steps-behind
Funny, I’ve always thought of a consort as a career, Kate being the obvious exception. Most of them bust their butt on the job, and not just the British ones.
It certainly ought to be, if you care about making a difference in the wider world. I imagine Kate was too torn between being the stereotypical stay-at-home wife and mother (even though Carole was a successful working woman and entrepreneur so it is a bit odd she didn’t follow that example) and really didn’t want a career and/or was not qualified for a career. Philip, while being a vile bigot, had some charisma (like Diana). Kate is just not at that level but I also feel like she didn’t have to be charismatic, she could have just been consistent and diligent.
None of CarolE & Mike’s kids held jobs as kids themselves, did they? They were raised to be wanna-be-aristos and laze about, playing at this and that, clubbing, and drinking. Most aristos are pulled into some form of charity work, but the Midd kids never seemed to do that either (as teens/college). That’s the way CarolE raised them (don’t know how much sway Mike would have over CarolE’s steamrollering, he always seems so quiet and detached from her pushing).
When kids aren’t taught what matters, they won’t know. Like throwing a kid in the pool in the deep end: they will either start dog paddling like mad and find their edge (Diana, even Sophie) or do nothing and start to sink (Fergie & Kate).
@ (TheOG) Jan90067, Kate is a habitual stinker, I mean sinker! She can’t stand on her own two feet yet alone create any substantial projects, support her bestowed patronage’s that are/were in desperate need of funding. We have already seen her colossal failures from her bestowed patronages.
The only drive KKKeen had was to be the last woman standing to win the stuffed husband of title and aristocracy.
I admit my dirty mind had a laugh at “bust their butt”, sorry.
It’s perhaps undignified to note this, but the Queen picked a broke good looking man. Charles in the end picked “tampon”. TOB picked “The Mattress”. It’s a career alright 😜
What an odd thing to admire about someone. It’s always been said that Philip found giving up his career really hard and to me it just show the toxicity of this family for married-ins – you have to basically give up your entire identity. Then again, the riches they gain from doing so is clearly worth it, since they are all quite good at wasting un-told amounts of taxpayer money on themselves, and hoarding wealth.
@Originallala I know he’s was talking about Philip, but he could be talking about Harry, or rather why Harry didn’t go the Philip route. Most of the royal family are asking why Harry didn’t just give up his own desires to support the crown out of “duty and service” to the monarchy, mostly because that’s what everyone else did. It’s interesting how he finds it admirable, although Philip did find a role for himself, but he really struggled with it as you’ve said. But it’s also it’s also interesting because everyone else is giving up their desires for the crown, ergo Betty, Charles, and William. It’s all just to support one person. I don’t think the heirs truly understand what it means to give everything up just to prop up one individual. They really don’t get that kind of sacrifice. So in a way, William could never really understand Philip.
Hmmm, I actually wondered if it was some shade towards Meghan, as in why couldn’t she be that type of consort for Harry and give up her ambitions etc. Maybe reading too far idk?
@Jais It could definitely be some of that as well. I think his comment could apply to the both of them. Throughout all of Sussexit, the main question is why won’t H&M diminish themselves for the crown? Why won’t they take the hits for the crown? Wouldn’t it be admirable if they dealt with all of the racism, misogyny, and hatred for the crown? It’s what consorts do. It’s the royal way. But they forget that Harry never really wanted to live that way and Meg wasn’t enamored enough by royalty to put up with that like Kate is.
@jt: i didn’t see the video. But i wouldn’t be surprised if it was indeed an indirect swipe at meghan & harry
But diminishing themselves for the crown is NOT what Philip really did. He gave up his military career yes, but he ran the show at home. He created side projects where he was in charge. He was respected and appreciated as an alpha male, and even his personal side-pieces were accepted–he was a virile male, after all. Philip NEVER abased himself for his wife. No man would ever be asked to do that. William wanted to emasculate Harry because he needed Harry to be lesser for him to feel greater. Philip would have left Elizabeth before he would be emasculated the way William wanted for Harry. Walking 2 steps behind your wife is just fine as long as you are ruling the roost in your own house. His extracurricular activities were likely considered proper compensation for walking behind his wife. But he made 42 million dollars. Created his own projects. Managed the family finances. Had a deferential wife. Philip wasn’t diminished in any meaningful way at all.
Well didn’t they tell Meghan to keep working because they wouldn’t be supporting her? The royals can’t say Meghan shouldn’t have given up her ambitions for the family but on the other hand say she needs to keep working (outside of the family)
“…it’s also interesting because everyone else is giving up their desires for the crown, ergo Betty, Charles, and William.”
I don’t know what else Liz had had in mind for herself, when the call came earlier than expected to assume the role as queen, and thus far William’s only apparent desire is not to work, for the crown or anyone else. But Charles is an interesting case. I think, unlike most anyone else, what he’s done over the years, the interests he’s been able to pursue about the environment, creating education and training opportunities, architecture, etc, are very much what he very well might have chosen to do even if he were a private citizen. The one advantage of TQ’s longevity for him has been the opportunity to continue to pursue his projects. IIRC, Diana alluded to this in the Bashir interview, that for Charles the prospect of becoming king was a double edged sword, as it would mean less time for him to pursue other projects that interested him.
But, that interview was 30 years ago. At this point, Charles has what for most people would be a pretty full career to look back on. My sense is he’s been more than ready for his next chapter – becoming king – since at least his late 60’s.
That said, I do remember Harry’s remark in the Oprah interview that Charles (as well as Will) was trapped, and I wonder what that refers to. The job itself, or the Royal Industrial Complex that surrounds it (media, courtiers, etc.)?
One of the few instances in history where the man did what women are forced to do all the time. I guess we’re supposed to applaud that? No matter how they try and sanctify him, he was still a racist f*ckwad.
Haha, imagine she send him a letter of congrats on his 100th birthday, I think that’s why he passed.
Wills has been raised to understand his place as a future king so he will never have to sacrifice a career, not even his interests (like gardening). I agree with what he said that it was ( and in some cases still is) a man’s world but Philip understood he would have to take a step back to his wife.
I take this as a hint to Kate and her mother, you will be second fiddle.
I agree Seraphina. Personally I think this has nothing to do with Harry and everything to do with Kate. He is saying to her quite clearly “I admire a consort that gives up everything for me, erm, I mean the Crown.” I don’t know when it was filmed, but given the recent rumours about their marriage it’s hard to imagine it’s a coincidence…
Someone probably gave him that talking point. He doesn’t know anything about sacrifice or hard work.
He also said it was really fun when Gramps made the kids shoot mustard on the ceilings to get Granny mad. Haaa! So much fun for the servant who had to clean f’n mustard off a bloody ceiling. Whooo. Fun. Rich people. I swear.
Of course William admires Philip for not working.
So I do think it was hard for him because while he knew he would eventually have to give up his career, he did not expect it to happen less than 5 years after they were married. If Edward had not abdicated, Phillip would have had 15-20 more years of his military career or thereabouts, and as it was he was forced into his role much sooner than he thought (and same for the queen obviously.)
And he did end up being a good consort and found his role, both in the family and in the royal sphere.
That said, I do think William points that out bc that’s completely what he expects of Kate – to be second fiddle, to always walk behind him, etc.
Becks- I suspect this is also what Wills expected of Harry. It goes to show that Wills thinks everyone should sacrifice for the monarch.
Rapunzel – yes, someone commented about that above and I think that’s a really good point too. Basically it seems like William completely buys into the idea that everyone in the family should take a second fiddle to him at all times.
The problem with that though, like someone said above, is that Phillip did NOT play a second fiddle to his wife at all times. He ran the show at home. He had an active life outside of “just” being the consort – projects, hobbies, etc. He accepted that she was The Crown but he was still in charge of many aspects of their lives.
so William seems to want something from everyone around him that Phillip didn’t even do.
He pretty much gave up everything, didn’t he? His citizenship, his religion, his name, as well as his career. But he wanted to marry Elizabeth and he wanted to be a royal. I’m not sure why it’s admirable to accept something that you can’t do anything about, but I suppose the point is if you want to be in the RF you have to give up everything you are.
I’m sure he definitely expects Kate to be second fiddle, not that it would be hard for her, but that would mean he would expect her to support him in the same way that Philip supported Betty. But does he think that Kate is holding up that end of the bargain? I don’t think he think does, at least not anymore. She is most certainly no Philip because if she was, he wouldn’t be whining about how Harry won’t “share the burden with him” anymore. I William is rethinking some things about his relationship, and wanting a Betty/Philip, or Harry/Meg (for the modern age) type of relationship. He wants to be a power couple now.
If kate was doing her job as consort then there would not be stories about Harry needing to be there to help William. Clearly kate is lacking in that regard.
We never hear stories of Charles needing his brothers to help him be future king and that was even when his marriage with Diana was shaky.
@Nic – great point. There are lots of comments in the other thread about how Kate is “meeting expectations” and “doing what the BRF expects” but if that was true, why so much emphasis on William needing Harry?
We’ve speculated on that particular tidbit – that William NEEDS harry when he’s king – and we’ve taken it as a sign that something is going on with William that the press knows about. But maybe its more about Kate? William NEEDS Harry because Kate refuses to work, refuses to support William the way Phillip supported the queen, etc.
Don’t you think Kate does what she’s told when it comes to the men in grey? If they told her she needed to be out there with him, she would probably do it. If nothing else, she can follow instruction. Maybe they don’t want her support?
@LadyD – maybe its that William doesnt want her support?
Most likely explanation, Becks 1.
Regardless of the reason Kate is failing in her duties as consort to William. All the stories about Philip focus on how he was the best support and counsel for the Queen over the years and that she relied on him for help. We never hear those stories about William relying on advice from Kate (I mean we know why because she’s quite dim) which is why William seems to need help from his brother. And William can barely conceal his disdain for her in public so she’s more of a bother to him than a helpmeet.
IMO the reason Will needs Harry has been simple – there’s work to be done as FFK, and thus far he hasn’t wanted to have to do it. Don’t see what Kate’s working or not working has to to with it – it’s not like Will is doing much of anything himself, and Kate wasn’t going to change that attitude. It’s been said before – he’s missed Harry, because his game plan was to have Harry continue doing most of the work, while taking the credit for it, which we’ve already seen on more than one occasion. Can’t consider Kate failing as a consort or not offering advice when Will has shown no interest in learning his role (see, his trip to Scotland, and then the do over with TQ; his rude, unprofessional behavior at the Euro match).
The interesting question, as @JT alludes to, is if Will is starting to think differently. It’s been a year and a half since H&M left, Will must have reached the acceptance stage by this point – Harry’s not coming back. And, Harry’s married to an exciting woman he truly loves; plus they’re building a reputation as a power couple. Will meanwhile, is 20 years into a relationship he obviously ceased caring about quite a while ago. If Will wants a piece of what Harry’s got, some things are going to have to change, and one of those things is most likely to be Kate, in one way or another.
And Kate never had a career to give up, so a bit less admirable. The Duchess of Gimme.
You’d think William would avoid making any comment that brings attention to the fact that Kate had no career, ever, to give up.
@Jais I hadn’t thought of that but you’re right…it could definitely taken as doing double duty as a veiled criticism of Meghan as well. William is such a dirtbag.
Yeah it feels shady to both Harry and Meghan, esp. if looked through the lens of them not fitting into the royal idea of “service.” For me though, it does seem shadier towards Meghan bc he’s talking about a consort and someone from the outside who marries in. Exalting that Phillip did it this way and knowing how he feels about Meghan suggests, without him saying it, that she did not. But my dislike for the Cambridges is honestly coloring how I see everything royal lately so I’m biased and seeing things that might or might not be there.
Being a consort IS work if a person is willing to do it!!! Philip worked hard, Diana worked hard (but Charles did not love or want her and hated how her work outshone him), Meghan (not a consort to monarch or future monarch but a married-in to the BRF) worked so hard and effectively she scared the bejesus out of William and Kate and raised the spectre of Diana for Charles. Those who marry in can work!!!! A lot!!!!!!!!! Just…not…Kate.
Btw, is it just me, or is that picture of W&K with TQ&Philip and kids really awkward looking? William is standing away from everyone with George, like they were photoshopped in.
All things relative Philip didn’t give up his career to be a stay at home dad, he became part of the British ruling class. He was able to live in luxury and accrue millions of dollars because he married the Queen. Interesting that William could admire his grandfather for that but made Harry and Meghan’s lives a living hell for doing the same.
I’m sure this is also a passive aggressive dig at Harry and Meghan. It’s the expectation of this family and the married ins to give up all personal careers and goals to support (and usually happiness and fulfillment) and be subservient to The Crown. I have no doubt this was drilled into William and Harry’s head from birth. But Harry clearly has always grated against that expectation. And William clearly expected and was counting on Harry and his future wife to comply. But history has shown that it’s a soul crushing position to be in. Just look at Margaret, Diana, even Queen Elizabeth’s own father who went to an early grave because of the stress of it all. This is what Harry was referring to when he talks about HIS generational trauma. The everyone suffers and so must you! Just suck it up and “carry on” mindset.
I have no doubt there is stress, but c’mon!! They’re pampered poodles who are trotted out to “perform” photo ops, cut a ribbon, “open a charity” or go to a movie premiere, and most don’t do a great job at even just that. They “perform” from 30-45 min. to a few hrs. a day, 1-3 days a week, and take MONTHS off at a time. They are hardly “working”.
The Queen’s father was a VERY heavy smoker, and while he did not have the personality/desire to be king, LUNG CANCER is what killed him. TQM’s crap about how the job/stress did it is just that, crap.
I read that the family believes that he ramped up the smoking because of the job stress and that it contributed to his early death. And, yes, they are pampered but, with the exception of the Cambridge’s, most of them kept fairly busy schedules (except during their summer breaks).
But I’m not just talking about hours in the day. I’m talking about being denied able to live a life of personal fulfillment and having to defer to The Crown on just about everything. Which also includes walking on eggshells around egotistical and jealous heirs. Being the family scapegoat and press punching bag for The Crown. That kind of stuff.
Yeah he gave up his career but as someone points out above, he couldn’t exactly say no to marrying the future queen could he? He gave it up to be a royal consort (which obviously comes with it’s difficulties especially with being the man being behind his wife back in the 1950s) which gave him a life he never would have had in the navy.
“One of the things I do admire him for is that he gave up a very successful military career to be the Queen’s consort and support her and to go into service and duty in a different way,”
True- also true this choice granted impoverished Prince Philip a whooping 40 million pounds for his sacrifice, so yeah, being Consort is not bad at all- no wonder KKKate is so eager.
Does he not see the irony – so much of the criticism lobbed at Harry and Megan is that Harry has “given up” so much for Megan and that diminishes him (all the cr*p about the Time cover photo and his supposedly “weak” stance) when that’s what William is celebrating about Phillip? They just all flap their faces without actually believing or even understanding what they are saying.
I think they wake up every morning with their brains freshly laundered and pressed. No need to worry about what they said the day before.
Thanks for the laugh!😂
LOL. You’re being kind. It seems their brains are permanently stuck underneath the washing machine agitator with the missing socks.
Eurydice!! 😭
@AlarmJaguar, I honestly don’t think William makes the connection at all, and certainly doesn’t realize the irony. He’s just…he’s clearly not that bright or self-reflective, and he’s outrageously arrogant yet also likes to paint himself as the victim. He’s a real piece of work.
Weird and slightly insensitive choice of words… “gave up his career”. I’d say he made new career choices and they were very successful. We’ve all have been through situations where we’ve had to reinvent ourselves and Philip is no exception. William, as usual, hasn’t read the room correctly because he doesn’t even have a friggin’ career to give up. I agree with other commenters here that this was an obvious slight about Harry. Well guess what William? Harry has a career you lazy twat, a very VERY successful one at that, so go chew on that for a while.
LOL, and perfectly stated.
God, please tell me they’re not trying to make Philip into some kind of posthumous feminist icon for being a consort. Yes, it is interesting that he did this considering the time period, but as a consort he was also afforded a life of luxury for virtually no real work on his part.
Also, this was from a clip from the BBC puff piece documentary, but what the hell was up with that mustard story Willnot mentioned? According to him, Prince Philip loved to give his grandsons tubes of mustard, and then immediately grasp his hands in theirs and squirt the mustard on to the ceiling. If this were a regular family I wouldn’t judge this so harshly, but all I can muster (hah) is annoyance at Phil for deliberately making a mess for the servants to clean up.
Philip chose to be a consort at some point when he married the queen so I find it unremarkable that he gave up his career. He put his wife first and that is exactly what Harry has done.
Could be a dig at H&M, could be a warning/dig at Kate and Carole
Could be a promise/ invitation to his lady lawyer mistress
Yes, Phillip certainly made the consort role his own, but was it really a “choice” he made? Could he really have had a successful military career while being married to the Queen? At the very least, it would have put him in some uncomfortable positions, potential conflicts with the government, and accusations of favouritism. He would always have been seen as a representative of the queen first.
Not to mention the possibility of making his ship a target. There’s a reason why it was a big deal for Harry to serve, and why extra precautions around his identity were taken. I don’t want to take anything away from Philip, but I also don’t think we need to posthumously make him a feminist icon, lol.
I wonder why this is coming out at this time? It seems more like brownie points but for what? Oh right W is not doing much engagements and neither is K. I don’t understand how the taxpayers are giving them such a pass if this was my money going to the royals I would demand they earn it.