Two of Prince Philip’s children have paid tribute to their father, who died on April 9 at the age of 99.
Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth and Philip’s youngest son, and Princess Anne, their only daughter, reflected on his legacy in a pre-recorded television interview with ITV.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, Prince Charles visited Windsor Castle on Friday to console his mother Elizabeth.
Anne stated on camera that certain individuals may have “”I grossly underestimated [Philip’s] impact” on the royal family, stating, “It’s critical.” Without him, everything would be different.”
She continued, “However, from a societal standpoint, he has been able to keep up with the kinds of technological advancements that have had such an impact. At the heart of it all, it is not about technology; it is about people.”
Anne reflected on her father’s ability to “make an impact” during his tenure as the longest-serving consort. After serving in WWII, he married Elizabeth in 1947 and retired from the military.
“I’m sure that was not an easy decision,” she recalled, adding that he was shaped in the Royal Navy by the desire to “make do and mend, change and improve.”
Nonetheless, one of Philip’s most memorable public appearances occurred years later. Philip walked in the funeral procession alongside Prince Harry and Prince William, where he was seen tenderly patting his younger grandson on the shoulder.
Anne, now 70, explained how their now-famous walk came to be “Isn’t memory an odd thing? However, I seem to recall him saying, ‘If you’re going to do it, I’m going to do it.’ And that was him as a grandfather saying, ‘If you want me to be there, if that is what you want to do, I will be there.'”
Edward explained why he believes his parents’ marriage remained so strong for 73 years.
“My parents have been such an incredible support to one another throughout those years and all those events, tours, and international appearances,” Edward, now 57, said. “Having someone to confide in and smile about things you might not be able to smile about in public is critical. It is critical to be able to share that with someone.”
Continuing, the Earl of Wessex, “I’ll remember my father in a variety of ways, both for his public service and for all the organizations he supported and influenced. Obviously, as my father and husband to my mother, all the work that is done there will be remembered more than anything else by our family.”
