Prince Philip had to give up several things when he decided to marry the young Princess Elizabeth. Before their wedding, he had to relinquish his inborn royal titles from the Greek and Danish Monarchy. Aside from his royal allegiances, he, also, had to step down from his "dream" role, according to the Daily Express.
King George VI died in 1952. Upon his passing, his eldest daughter automatically became the head of the British Monarch. While the unfortunate event surrounded the British Royals because of the King's death, the Duke of Edinburgh, reportedly, had to deal with another "heartbreaking blow." As it happened, he had to give up his career and leave the royal navy because his wife was about to ascend as the Queen of the United Kingdom.
Speaking to National Geographic's documentary material, Being the Queen, royal experts shared their thoughts about the unfortunate event. They "reflected" on the trying time that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had to bear.
Royal historian Sarah Gristwood said that the Duke of Edinburgh knew from the beginning that he would, one day, give up his "dream" job in the royal navy. What he did not expect, though, was that it all came too soon.
Royal biographer Philip Eade echoed the historian's thoughts. He asserted that the royal-born Greek Prince must have thought of having "at least 20 years" before they ascend as the Queen and Prince Consort of the British Monarchy.
In the same documentary, Prince Philip's first cousin, Lady Pamela Hicks, shared that the "drastic change" caused a "strain" in the couple's life. She added that the Prince Consort "struggled" with his new role as a "second" person, who was going to walk four paces behind his wife "for the rest of his life."
The royal continued and noted that it truly "devastated" his cousin, especially their lives as a married couple. She explained that the Duke of Edinburgh certainly experienced pressures as he was "probably" thinking that he would become a "yes man."
Despite the struggles and challenges, though, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have remained happily married. The Daily Express even described their union as the "embodiment of unity and duty."
To date, they are the longest-married royal couple in the history of the British Royal Family. In November, they will celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary.
Lady Pamela Hicks, also, revealed that, since their first meeting, the couple already fell in love with each other. She emphasized, though, that the young Princess Elizabeth was the first one to immediately fall "headlong" in love with the Greek Prince.
