Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were destined to be together. The couple’s path to happily ever after was not without challenges. The royal family was not pleased with Philip Mountbatten, the young naval commander who had won the heart of the then-princess.
Elizabeth and Philip met when she was just eight years old. Philip’s cousin, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, married Elizabeth’s uncle, Prince George, Duke of Kent. It was a simpler era back then. Elizabeth’s uncle, Edward, was still first in line to the throne. Elizabeth’s dad had no notion he’d become King George VI. Elizabeth too had no clue she’d be set on the route to the throne, let alone that she’d take it so soon.
According to author Sally Bedell Smith, Elizabeth would have to battle for her marriage several times. Their journey included ups and downs, just like any other marriage. But, as their long-lasting relationship would show, she never had feelings for anybody else.
Queen Elizabeth is an enthralling character for a variety of reasons. She is the longest-reigning and oldest queen in British history. She has also had the longest marriage in the monarchy’s history.
Queen Elizabeth was barely 8 years old when she met her future husband, Philip Mountbatten. They met during Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark’s wedding to Elizabeth’s uncle, Prince George, Duke of Kent.
Elizabeth had no notion she would one day become Queen. She had no clue she would fall in love with Philip a decade later. They are distant cousins who are both descended from Queen Victoria.
They wouldn’t see one other again until 1939, when Elizabeth paid a visit to a naval academy where he was a cadet. Philip, then 18, began writing to Elizabeth, then 13. She was completely smitten.
By the age of 18, Elizabeth was certain he was the one for her. She fell in love at the age of 18 and never looked back, biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People. After the battle, when Elizabeth was 20, Philip contacted King George and asked for her hand in marriage.
According to Sally’s study, the King liked Philip. The King informed his mom that Philip was “clever, has a nice sense of humour, and thinks about things in the proper manner,” but he and his wife were still concerned.
Despite his Greek origins, Philip lacked the titles that the nobility expected of a future queen’s suitor.
There were some who were quite concerned, Sir Edward Ford stated. At that moment, the connection was a little shaky. So it was only reasonable for the elder generation – supporters of the King like Lord Salisbury — to be anxious about who the Queen was seeing. So they sniffed about to find out what he was like.
Elizabeth’s parents felt she was still too young for a formal announcement, so they asked Philip to postpone it until Elizabeth turned 21.
In July 1947, the couple confirmed their engagement. At the time, a Guardian correspondent stated, it is evident that this is a marriage of choice rather than arrangement. There have been numerous royal engagements in the past, but it would be difficult to find a perfect equivalent for that of an Heiress Presumptive, much alone her choice as partner of someone who is, technically, a British commoner.
Individuals all across the world tuned in to hear a radio broadcast of their royal wedding on November 20, 1947. A total of 2,000 people attended. Following their wedding, the pair relocated to Clarence House, which is located close to Buckingham Palace.
While it may not seem like much now, it was a significant victory for Elizabeth. One of Elizabeth’s greatest successes was being able to marry the love of her life, The Crown executive producer Suzanne Mackie said. Like any marriage, it would require constant re-calibration, navigation, and re-negotiation.
In the early years of their marriage, Elizabeth and Philip had a rather typical life. In November 1948, they welcomed Prince Charles, and in August 1950, they received Princess Anne. They were stationed in Malta, where Philip was. They would return in 2007 to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
Elizabeth was just 26 years old when she was proclaimed Queen of England in 1953. Neither Elizabeth nor Philip anticipated her to ascend the throne at such a young age. Philip took some time to adjust to his new status as consort.
When Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 1972, she said that if she is asked what I think of family life after 25 years of marriage, she can respond with the same simplicity and conviction, she is for it.
Philip had kind things to say on their 50th anniversary. The primary thing they’ve learned is that tolerance is the single most important component of every good marriage. It may not be as crucial while things are going well, but it is critical when things are tough, He made a remark. One may take it from him that the queen has an excess of patience.
