The late Queen and Prince Philip were a unified ‘double act’ who embraced the evolution of a blended Royal Family, according to a royal expert.
Elizabeth and Philip, who wed in 1947, had a ‘fascinating’ relationship that stood the test of time, Gyles Brandreth told HELLO!’s A Right Royal Podcast.
‘To live with the same person for so long and to get along so well was extraordinary,’ he added.
‘They were an amazing double act.’
It comes as the Royal Family prepare to celebrate the late Queen’s historic centenary on April 21, with both King Charles and Queen Camilla set to lead the flurry of tributes to the late monarch on what would have been her 100th birthday.
Elizabeth and Philip’s deep, unwavering love was at the heart of the modern British monarchy and survived numerous scandals and disasters. Serving as a beacon of constancy and affection, the married couple remained together until the very end.
However, while their fairytale romance lasted more than seven decades, the key to their success was their evolving modernity, according to Mr Brandreth.
As the monarchy shifted with the times, both Elizabeth and Philip embraced leading an unprecedented ‘blended’ royal family – including overseeing their eldest son, now King Charles, divorcing Princess Diana and later re-marrying Queen Camilla.
‘Three of their children’s marriages ended in separation and divorce, but they accepted that and moved on,’ added Mr Brandreth.
‘Camilla became the Duchess of Cornwall and then the Queen and the family accepted that. All these things blended brilliantly.’
Following Philip’s tragic death, aged 99, on April 8, 2021, the heartbreaking scene of the late Monarch forced to sit alone at his funeral due to coronavirus restrictions was just a further demonstration of their commitment to the vows they shared 78 years ago – ’till death do us part’.
All throughout his life, the prince’s adoration for his wife and devotion to their marriage never wavered.
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His desire to always do right by Elizabeth was perhaps most poignantly illustrated by a reflective conversation shared by his first ever private secretary, Michael Parker.
‘He told me the first day he offered me my job that his job, first, second and last was never to let her down,’ he recalled.
Charles and Camilla, who had both been married previously, opted for a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall followed by a religious blessing at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on April 9, 2005.
According to former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked within Charles’ household between 2004 and 2011, the late Queen was heavily involved in Charles and Camilla’s wedding planning.
He revealed that the late monarch organised important wedding details on the day, from the flowers to Charles and Camilla’s wedding rings, and even gave a comical speech at the newlywed couple’s reception.
The Queen and Prince Philip did not attend Charles and Camilla’s civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, but they did join later for the religious blessing at St George’s Chapel.
Speaking on behalf of wedding directory Guides for Brides (guidesforbrides.co.uk), he said: ‘The biggest misconception about the wedding is that the Queen didn’t enjoy it or wasn’t supportive, it’s complete nonsense.
‘There was talk about whether she would attend the service but her appearance at the reception was a joyful one.
‘Her attendance and speech would have been seen as an olive branch to Charles and Camilla – her blessing of the marriage. The royals don’t do things lightly and she would have not attended if she hadn’t been happy to.
‘The Queen was amazing at the wedding, she gave a very funny speech, she was really happy as was Prince Philip. I can’t remember her exact words but she was funny. She compared their relationship to a Grand National horse race. She was a great comedian and had a way with words.’
Speaking about why the Queen didn’t attend the actual ceremony, Grant explained: ‘The Queen didn’t go to the actual Guildhall. The reason for that, we’re talking about 20 odd years ago, Charles was a divorcee.
‘So possibly the Queen felt that being a traditionalist, she didn’t want to be at the blessing for personal reasons because her faith was very strong. She certainly was at the blessing at St George’s Chapel.’
The ceremony was notably less lavish than King Charles’s wedding to Princess Diana in July 1981, which was held at St Paul’s Cathedral and watched by over 750 million people around the world.
Camilla wore a white silk dress with a scalloped trim, adding an elegant white tailored coat with a diamond feathered brooch.
Charles – then the Prince of Wales – was smart in a black long-line jacket and grey striped trousers.
The couple’s wedding ceremony was attended by their children from their previous marriages – Prince William, Prince Harry, Laura Lopes and Tom Parker Bowles.
In her Platinum Jubilee message to the nation, the monarch said it was her ‘sincere wish’ she should take the title. The Daily Mail revealed Queen Elizabeth gave her blessing to crown Camilla as Queen Consort years ago and that Charles came close to announcing it in 2019.
The Queen chose the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne to make the highly significant announcement and express her desire for Camilla to be fully acknowledged when Charles became King.
She told the nation: ‘When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me, and it is my sincere wish that, when the time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.’
Camilla later said she felt ‘very honoured and very touched’ by the public seal of approval.
