Prince Philip's Road To Becoming The Stronghold Of The Royal Family And Its Ultimate Poster Boy

Jun 10, 2020

Despite Prince Philip being the oldest living member of the British royal family at 99 years old, his life is not as talked-about as the rest of his Royals.

Here is how he became the rock of the royal family and its ultimate poster boy.

Prince Philip may be almost a centenarian, but he's still the ultimate (and original) poster boy for the British royal family. Prince William and Prince Harry inherited their suaveness from their grandfather.

The Duke of Edinburgh had quite a fan club in his heyday. When he married the Queen in 1947, women nationwide were swooned by his classically good looks. He was six feet tall, blonde, and had piercing blue eyes. He could always summon a smile out of his wife just by his wittiness.

Philip wasn't just good looking – he was also an impressive pilot. He gained his RAF Wings in 1953, his helicopter wings with the Royal Navy in 1956, and his Private Pilots Licence in 1959. He gave up flying in August 1997 after accumulating 5,986 hours as a pilot in 59 types of aircraft in 44 years. He was also the first member of the Royal family ever to fly out of Buckingham Palace Garden in a helicopter.

After Diana’s death in 1997, it was Philip who is said to have persuaded her sons William and Harry to walk behind her coffin, saying,

‘If you don't walk, I think you'll regret it later. If I walk, will you walk with me?’

During the 2012 Diamond Jubilee, the Queen acknowledged the effect that their relationship had had on her, saying Philip had been her "constant strength and guide." Their marriage happens to be the longest of any British sovereign as they have been married for 72 years so far. The Queen is still more than fond of her husband, in an emotional tribute on their golden wedding anniversary she revealed:

"He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years."

To their family, they are relationship goals. "I'd love to know their secret," William said in a BBC documentary about the Queen’s life. "I think it's fantastic and I've regularly asked them both how they've managed it because they are the most lovely couple."

Philip proves that you can still look dapper at 99, like the true royal poster boy that he is. Pass this along to your loved ones.