Prince Philip: The Duke of Edinburgh’s children reflect on the life of their father, “the pillar of Queen Elizabeth II”

And the Duke of York fondly remembered Prince Philip as a father who spent time with his family. “Like any other family at that time, your parents would go to work during the day but at night we would meet, we sat down together on the couch and he read us“said Prince Andrew.

Royals has spoken in a series of talks to commemorate the Duke of Edinburgh’s death as part of a special BBC program honoring him on behalf of “those who knew him best”.

Prince Charles said on the show: “I think he probably wants to be remembered as an individual, on his own merits.”

Reflecting on his father’s difficult childhood after his family’s exile, the Prince of Wales said: “It couldn’t have been easy. Life was uncertain and everyone had to depend on help from other people and apparently he must have turned to himself. “

This experience gave him the “extraordinary ability” to be positive and of overcome adversitysaid Princess Anne.

Prince Charles spoke of the “great courage” his father found in his training at Gordonstoun (a boarding school in Scotland) founded by Kurt Hahn, an unconventional figure who emphasized autonomy and risk, and which in part inspired the creation of the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Going from a career in the British Royal Navy to becoming a Royal Consort was “an incredible challenge”, said Princess Anne. “In the Royal Navy he was in charge of ships, made all the decisions. In his next life, he would take very little. “

However, Prince Andrew, who served in the Navy during the Falklands War, said he never had a conversation with his father about whether he would have stayed longer in the service. “He considered his role to be that of support the queen“said the prince.

Princess Anne spoke about her vision to help the Queen “always seemed to be there, ”and that was vital because she came to the throne at a very young age.

Prince Edward recalled a “charming moment” when his mother paid tribute to his father on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, granting the organization royal status.

“Either way, it probably meant more to my mom; my dad was too modest to even be minimally interested in all of this stuff, he would play it down,” the prince said.

He also said that the award was the result of Prince Felipe’s belief that “harnessing the passion of young people makes them move forward in life and success”.

Prince Edward said his father was “a great source of support, encouragement and advice from beginning to end“.

Princess Anne added: “I think I will remember him as someone who has always been there, and as someone you could exchange ideas with and who you could always go to if you had any problems.”

Prince Philip’s legendary “franchise” was inherited from his mother, Prince Charles explained with an anecdote.

His mother, the princess Alice of Battenberg, was buried in Jerusalem, where she is also honored at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial as “Righteous Among the Nations” for protecting the Jews at her home in Athens during World War II.

“My father asked him, ‘How will we ever visit your grave? », Remembers the Prince of Wales. “She said, ‘Don’t be stupid, there is a very good bus service from Athens.

The Duke of Edinburgh “was not very tolerant of fools,” said Prince Charles, which “required you to choose your words carefully”.

Prince Edward said his father took on a complex role “with the most extraordinary style, tact and diplomacy: Never try eclipse the queen in any case, in any way and in no case. “

“He’s always been there, as a mainstay in the Queen’s life. Without a doubt, in his own family he’s done the exact same thing.”

“Her energy was incredible in supporting my mom and having done it for so long,” Prince Charles said. “I think this is an incredible achievement.”

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