The Life and Legacy of Prince Phillip, 99 Years Old

A short story, a glimpse into the life and times of Prince Phillip life from afar

When God allows someone to live for almost a hundred years, that truly means that person has done something right. Today, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, a member of the British royal family and the husband of Queen Elizabeth II has join the ranks of the other centenarians that God has called home from the blessing of longevity.

Prince Philip was born into the Greek and Danish royal families. Well that was a good start in life being born into royalty. He was educated in France, Germany and the United Kingdom and at the age of eighteen he joined the British Royal Navy in 1939. What a blessing to give service to one’s country. It’s like the rich giving to the poor, so to speak. He met Princess Elizabeth in 1934 and they corresponded for about six years, she was only thirteen years old at the time. True love happens at any age. Philip and Elizabeth were married in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, recorded and broadcast by BBC radio to 200 million people around the world. After their honeymoon, he soon thereafter reported back to active Navy military duty from 1947 to 1951.

He served in the Second World War and after the war, he was granted permission to marry Elizabeth by George VI. They married November 20th 1947 and later left active military service when Elizabeth became queen in 1952 and was made a British prince in 1957. Their union produce four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex from a 73 year marriage.

For entertainment, Philip was a sports enthusiast and developed the equestrian event of carriage driving. Also was a patron, president, a member of over 780 organizations and served as chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a self improvement program for young people aged 14 to 24. Again, another blessing to the underserved or less privileged get love from a great humanitarian who gained favor from God toward his longevity. One page cannot contain all the credits of a royal life well lived. Prince Philip was known to be the longest serving consort of a reigning British monarch and the longest-lived male member of the British royal family who retired from his royal duties 2017 at the age of 96 having completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952. Now that’s something to brag about and three years later, God said, “well done my good and faithful servant.”

His education over his younger life prepared him for a life of service as he begun his education at Gordonstoun school in Scotland; The Elms, an American school in Paris; Cheam School, United Kingdom; and the list is quite lengthy.

One thing about life, the wealthy, royalty or poor face adversity. Prince Philip’s mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia and place in an asylum and his father took up residence in Monte Carlo and at a young age, he had very little contact with his mother for the remainder of his childhood. In 1937, his sister, Cecilie, her husband, Georg Donatus, their two young sons, one was an infant and her mother-in-law were killed in an air crash at Ostend when he was 16 years old. The following year, his uncle and guardian Lord Milford Haven died of bone marrow cancer.

In addition to all his servitude, he always regarded himself as an Anglican as he attended Anglican services in England and throughout his Royal Navy days post being baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church.

In conclusion, the time is too celebrate the life who made a difference over this 99 years of service as he descends back from where he came, to God, leaving behind his beloved, Queen Elizabeth, but his spirit will forever reign all around as he gave his best to his family, friends and his countrymen and countrywomen. RIP

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