Following the sad news of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's death today we take a look back at one of the greatest love stories of all time.
On 20th November 2017, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip celebrated 70 years of marriage, marking an important milestone not just in their own enduring love story - their Platinum anniversary - but also in the nation’s history: their partnership is the longest (and perhaps the strongest) in the annals of Britain’s royal family.
Royal protocol is such that it’s rare to hear the royal couple singing each other’s praises in public – meaning that when we do, it’s all the more heart-warming. In a speech to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary back in 1997, the Queen famously referred to her consort as her "strength and stay" all these years; 15 years later, addressing Parliament on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee, she returned to the same sentiment.
"During these years as your Queen, the support of my family has, across the generations, been beyond measure," she said. "Prince Philip is, I believe, well known for declining compliments of any kind. But throughout [my reign] he has been a constant strength and guide."
The pair (who are second cousins once removed) first met at the wedding of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark (Philip’s cousin) and Prince George, Duke of Kent (Elizabeth’s uncle) back in 1934, then again when Philip took on guide duties during a royal tour of the Naval College at Dartmouth. They struck up a correspondence through letters, and according to Elizabeth’s cousin and close friend Margaret Rhodes, the then-Princess was steadfast in her affections, having "never looked at anyone else."
A look back at The Queen and Prince Phillip's love story
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip - Grazia
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Waving from Buckingham Palace, July 1947
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The couple officially announce their engagement at Buckingham Palace, July 1947
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After the engagement announcement, November 1947
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Elizabeth and Philip after announcing their engagement, July 1947
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Princess Elizabeth poses with her family and fiancé ahead of her marriage, 1947
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Photographed at Buckingham Palace shortly before their wedding, 1947
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Arriving at the Royal Variety Performance, November 1947
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Arriving at the Armistice Day service, November 1947
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The couple were married at Westminster Abbey on 20th November 1947
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Posing for official photos at the Palace after their wedding, November 1947
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Waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the wedding, November 1947
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Honeymooning at Broadlands House, home to Philip's Uncle, November 1947
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Playing with a corgi while on honeymoon, November 1947
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Admiring wedding photos while honeymooning, November 1947
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Enjoying a walk on their honeymoon at Broadlands House in Hampshire, November 1947
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Arriving in Malta (where Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy) for the second part of their honeymoon, 1947
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Attending a charity ball at the Dorchester Hotel, 1948
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On board the 'Pamir,' March 1948
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Prince Philip receives the Freedom of the City of London, 1948
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Visiting the Arc de Triomphe, May 1948
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Attending the Royal Horse Show at Windsor, May 1949
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Arriving at the wedding of the Earl of Harewood and Marion Stein, 1949
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Posing with newborn Charles, July 1949
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After Princess Anne's christening, 1950
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Walking in the grounds of Clarence House, August 1951
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A family portrait session with the young Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Clarence House, 1951
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A photoshoot with the family, August 1951
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Visiting the Festival of Britain, 1951
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Royal tour of Quebec, 1951
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Enjoying a barn dance in Ottowa, 1951
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Photographed outside Balmoral, September 1952
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A candid shot with Princess Anne and Prince Charles, 1951
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Photographed with the children at Balmoral, September 1952
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Leaving Westminster Abbey in an ornate carriage following Elizabeth's coronation, June 1953
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Waving to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Elizabeth's coronation, June 1953
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Elizabeth poses for official photos with Philip following her coronation
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Visiting Northern Ireland on the Coronation Tour, 1953
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Photographing the arrival of an escort ship while en route to Fiji during the Coronation Tour, 1953
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Visiting Bermuda, November 1953
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Overseeing the children and two ponies in the grounds of Balmoral, August 1955
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Playing with corgis in the grounds of Balmoral, August 1955
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A trip to Nigeria, 1956
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Posing for photographs at Buckingham Palace, December 1958
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Posing for photographs at Buckingham Palace, December 1958
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The Queen and Prince Philip with corgis at Windsor Castle, 1959
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John and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace, 1960
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John and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace, 1960
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Leaving Manchester by train, May 1961
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Presenting Bobby Moore with the World Cup trophy, 1966
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Flying back from Yorkshire, filmed for a BBC and ITV documentary
Without initially seeking permission from their parents, the pair became engaged in 1946. When Philip eventually ceded to tradition and asked King George VI for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, his request was accepted – on the condition that a formal engagement announcement would take place later, following Elizabeth’s 21st birthday the next year. Elizabeth’s courtiers, however, were not initially won over by the match, viewing the ‘penniless’ naval officer as an unsuitable match for a Queen-in-waiting.
After announcing the happy news on 9th July 1947, the pair were wed at Westminster Abbey on 20th November, in a ceremony that was broadcast to around 200 million people around the world. The then-Princess Elizabeth wore a dress by court couturier Norman Hartnell (paid for – like any other bride – using the ration coupons that were still in use in the aftermath of World War II); like her future granddaughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, she did her own make-up for the occasion.