Princess Kate reflected on the Queen's extraordinary legacy (Image: Martin Elliott)
The late monarch spent more than 70 years on the throne, devoting herself to a life of service. And according to Princess Kate, it would have been a lonely life were it not for one important aspect
The late Queen’s devotion to her life of duty was unparalleled. She reigned for more than 70 years, longer than any other monarch in British history, and committed herself entirely to public service.
It would have been a lonely position to be in, were it not for one thing, according to the Princess of Wales. Kate spoke affectionately about the monarch in the 2016 documentary, Our Queen at 90.
She reflected on her extraordinary life, and the importance of her 74-year marriage to Prince Philip. The princess said: “All the time, William and I are so struck by the queen’s sense of duty and commitment and I think to do that by yourself I think would be a very, very lonely place to be but I think to have the support of your husband there by your side on those occasions and behind closed doors as well I think is really special.”
In a marriage that lasted more than seven decades, Prince Philip was the Queen’s biggest support in public – and in private the one person who knew her best.
As one secretary previously told the BBC: “Prince Philip is the only man in the world who treats the Queen simply as another human being. He’s the only man who can.”
Their grandson Prince William would later sum up their connection, saying: “He makes her laugh because some of the things he says and does and the way he looks at life is obviously slightly different than her, so together they’re a great couple.”
Speaking on their Golden Wedding anniversary in 1997, the late monarch perfectly encapsulated the essence of her relationship with Philip, a bond which had stretched back to the 1930s, when they were first introduced.
“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know,” she proclaimed.
They first met at Prince Philip’s cousin Princess Marina’s wedding to Princess Elizabeth’s uncle, the Duke of Kent, in 1934, although their first publicised meeting was in 1939 when the princess, then aged 13, visited the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth with her parents.
Their relationship developed over the next few years but as rumours of an impending engagement intensified, King George VI took his family on a tour of South Africa in 1947, leaving the prince behind.
Her father did not want Princess Elizabeth to rush into such an important decision at such a young age – she turned 21 during the tour – and decided she needed some time away.
But the princess was unmoved and, shortly after their return, the engagement was announced on July 9, 1947.
The couple were married at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947. After spending their honeymoon at Broadlands in Hampshire and Birkhall, Balmoral, their family soon had two new arrivals, with Prince Charles born in November 1948 and his sister, Princess Anne, two years later.
They began their marriage as a young couple living in Malta between 1949 and 1951, with Prince Philip based there as an officer in the Mediterranean Fleet.
Those early days were carefree times – before their lives were beset by duty. They attended parties and went dancing, appearing very much like any other newlyweds. Elizabeth assumed the life of a “normal” Navy wife, according to one of her bridesmaids, Lady Pamela Hicks.
She “really loved Malta because she was able to lead a normal life, wander through the town and do some shopping,” her close friend recalled, “It was the only place that she was able to live the life of a naval officer’s wife, just like all the other wives. It was wonderful for her and it’s why they have such a nostalgia for Malta.”
Elizabeth and Philip even went back to the place that held such happy memories to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary in 2007, and the Queen said in 2015, “Malta was always very special to me. I remember happy days here with Prince Philip when we were first married”.
