Happy birthday to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Philip Mountbatten-Windsor – whatever you want to call him, the Queen’s husband turns 98 today!
He has packed a lot of life in those 98 years – born in Greece, he is a Prince in his own right (of Greece and Denmark) and was educated in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. At 18, he joined the British Royal Navy in 1939; it was also this year a 13-year-old girl named Princess Elizabeth began sending letters to him after falling in love with him at first sight. That love has never wavered.
They married in 1947, became parents of four children, and have now been married for nearly 72 years. In August 2017 Philip retired from Royal duties at 96, having completed 22,219 solo engagements (not counting joint engagements!) since his wife’s ascension in 1952. He’s a fascinating man that love sports, painting, and has authored a number of books; the Queen herself would say she would not be half the Queen she is if she did not have Philip as her strong, stable backbone.
Wishing a wonderful day and a wonderful year ahead to Prince Philip, whose entire life has been devoted to service of others.