According to many, what Princess Diana and Prince Philip had in common was that they were both some sort of outsiders when they joined the Royal Family. Over time, however, both of them became much loved members of the royalty.
Prince Philip, who passed away on April 9, 2021, in the comfort of his home, was the longest serving consort in British history. He was someone the whole country admired not only for serving the people, but for being the Queen’s “strength and stay” for more than 73 years.
Over the course of his life, The Duke of Edinburgh was associated with 992 organisations in areas including technology, conservation, education and the welfare of young people.
Take a look back at the life and work of The Duke of Edinburgh on @RoyalFamily. pic.twitter.com/Ll4yBQa4Kp
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) April 13, 2021
After his death, his beloved family paid tribute to him the best they knew. Harry spoke of him as of “a rock” for the Queen “with unparalleled devotion,” as per BBC. “While I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, ‘Oh do get on with it!'”
William said in his statement, “My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead. I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.”
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/XOIDQqlFPn
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2021
With Prince Philip’s passing, many magazines decided to take a look back at his relationship with late Princess Diana, his former daughter-in-law.
It has been revealed that Prince Philip and Diana were in contact and exchanged a number of letters after her marriage with Prince Charles started struggling and was put to an end eventually.
According to the book Prince Philip Revealed, written by the royal author Ingrid Seward, previewed by People, “When (Diana) found the restrictions of royal life difficult, it was Philip who helped her.”
“Once she was married, she never sat next to her husband; she was always sat next to Philip at the endless black-tie dinners, and he took care of her,” Ingrid continued.
“Diana found the Balmoral dinners a massive strain and the atmosphere stifling. When the piper came around the table after dinner with his kilt swirling and his pipes whining, she couldn’t wait to leave the room.”
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died on Friday at age 99. He had been married to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 70 years https://t.co/HAbOcCqexG pic.twitter.com/bKXCsR0SXX
— TIME (@TIME) April 9, 2021
The mail correspondence between the two leaked in 2003 by former royal butler Paul Burrell. According to him, one of the letters Price Philip addressed to the Princess said: “I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind leaving you for Camilla,” as per Daily Mail.
“We do not approve of either of you having lovers. Charles was silly to risk everything with Camilla for a man in his position. We never dreamed he might feel like leaving you for her. Such a prospect never even entered our heads.”
Further, it was revealed that Prince Philip wrote that if he was invited to help his son and Diana overcome their differences, he would do his best, to what the Princess replied: “I would like you to know how much I admire you for the marvelous way in which you have tried to come to terms with this intensely difficult family problem.”
Apparently, after the marriage ended and things became rough between Diana and Charles, resentment grew between Prince Philip and Diana. He believed that her behavior was affecting the family’s reputation, while she was reported to had thought that her former father-in-law was trying to be way too involved in her relationship with Charles.
We will remember both Prince Philip and Princess Diana as individuals with hearts of gold and immense love for their people.