Yes, really.
I was watching a documentary last night on the Queen’s wedding in 1947 and it made me look at her and The Duke of Edinburgh in a completely different light.
I never before realised that our Queen was the first Monarch to marry for love. She was quite the trendsetter and I imagine set a lot of tongues wagging. Of course PP was not seen by many as being the perfec match, despite the fact that he was himself royal. He was seen as outspoken and a little rough around the edges. OR you could see this as being genuine and honest.
Qualities to aspire to surely. And 65 years later I don’t think that can be disputed, can it?
She fell for the Prince when she was only 13 and theirs was a courtship that lasted 8 years – 8 years! Imagine being told by your parents that you would have to wait 8 years to marry the man of your dreams?
She had many aristocratic suitors but none were a match for Prince Philip, it was to be him and only him.
They had to be patient and bide their time until PP became naturalised as a British citizen and also until the mood of the nation was right, this being just after the second world war and PP being of Greek descent.
This really struck a chord with me. If we were all a little more patient with one another at work as well as in our personal relationships, if we waited until the time was right before speaking or before acting how different our impact might be ?
At the Queens Coronation in 1953 The Duke promised to be her Consort, her liegeman, that is to be a faithful follower. You might also describe a liegeman as being a servant or supporter. This is indeed the opinion of many senior Royals – that the Queen could not have done what she does without him.
I wonder what a difference it would make if we promised to be a liege to our life partners, husbands and wives? Isn’t that a huge part of togetherness, always being there for one another throughout the good times and the bad?
Prince Philip has dedicated his life to the service of the Queen and therefore to us - to our wonderful nation. He gave up any right of a career, a normal family life, the right to even call his children by his own family name ( which he gave up to become a Mountbatten).
Gaffe prone ? I prefer to see him as being able to see the lighter side of life and always telling it how it is – surely we al need someone who can do that ?
So when I raise my glass to HM The Queen today I will also be raising it to Prince Philip and to a wonderful partnership.
Are you a Royalist or maybe you have your own thoughts on the Jubilee?
Either way, I’d love to hear them – please do leave me a comment.
