Queen and Prince Philip wedding anniversary: 'He's her rock' Royals pay tribute to Duke
PRINCE PHILIP has been Queen Elizabeth’s “rock” and the couple's grandchildren Princes William and Harry say she could not have reigned without her husband by her side during the longest royal marriage in history.
Queen Elizabeth II marries Prince Philip 70 years ago
The couple’s grandchildren have paid tribute to their “fantastic” grandparents who have inspired the next generation of young royals before they celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary.
As the Queen’s steadfast companion for seven decades of blissful marriage, the Duke of Edinburgh is defined by his relationship with the monarch after he gave up his promising naval career to support his wife.
And while the Queen takes centre stage, the Duke has always been one step behind, offering a profound effect on the development and modernisation of the British monarchy through his acerbic wit and hilarious gaffes.
Queen Elizabeth paid tribute to her husband back in 1997 when she described him as her “strength and stay” during their Golden Wedding celebrations at a lunch in the Banqueting House.
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He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years
She said: “He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments, but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I and his whole family, in this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.”
And her grandchildren agree.
Prince Harry made it clear the Queen’s achievements would not have been possible without her 96-year-old husband during an interview with Andrew Marr for the documentary Diamond Queen,
He said: “Regardless of whether my grandfather seems to be doing his own thing, sort of wandering off like a fish down the river, the fact that he’s there, personally, I don’t think that she could do it without him, especially when they’re both at this age.”
This was echoed by his brother, Prince William, who said: “I should add that no mention of the Queen is complete without paying tribute to my grandfather Prince Philip, who has devoted his life to supporting her.”
And Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, has also spoken of the “special” relationship the couple share.
She 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 would be a 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.”
Joking, she added: “William and I have got quite a long way to go. But, no, it really, really is fantastic.
“And to have seen and experienced as much as they have together, it's really special."
Speaking about her grandfather, Princess Eugenie described Philip has the Queen’s “rock”.
She said: "I think Grandpa is incredible. He really is strong and consistent.
“He's been there for all these years, and I think he's the rock, you know, for all of us."
The Queen's cousin Margaret Rhodes also paid tribute to Philip’s “tremendous support”.
She told the Mirror in 2012: ”In Prince Philip she found her true love and the Queen has often acknowledged the tremendous support he has given to her - her 'rock’.
The Queen and Prince Philip share eight grandchildren, Prince William, Prince Harry, Peter Phillips, Zara Phillips, Princess Beatrice Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Viscount Servern and five great-grandchildren.
They will celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary on November 20.