Even though he’s gone, Prince Philip’s legacy will live on. The longest serving royal consort was known for his loyalty to his wife the Queen, dedication to the Commonwealth and his incredibly cheeky wit.
WATCH: Prince Charles speaks about his late father Prince Philip
The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip sadly passed away on Friday 9th April, 2021.
A statement released by the Palace read, “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.” the statement read.
“Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss. Friday, 9 April 2021.”
Since the sad news broke, tributes around the world have been flowing in for the Iron Duke. The public is heralding his accomplishments, admiring his over-70-year relationship with the Queen and remembering his ever-so-naughty sense of humour.
To honour Prince Philip, we’ve rounded up some, but by no means all, of his cheekiest moments throughout the years.
Let’s start off with one of his Australian-based quips.
While visiting down under, Prince Philip was asked to stroke one of our native animals – the koala.
Not missing a beat, the Duke of Edinburgh replied, “Oh no, I might catch some ghastly disease”.
Teasing his family
Not even the royals are exempt from some good old-fashioned family ribbing. Prince Philip was certainly not afraid to take the mickey out of his relatives, even his beloved wife.
After seeing plans for his son Prince Andrew and Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson’s house, Philip gave some thoughts on the interior design of the new abode.
“It looks like a tart’s bedroom” the Duke said.
Speaking about his equestrian-loving daughter, Princess Anne, Prince Philip remarked “If it doesn’t fart or eat hay, she isn’t interested”.
When the Duke was asked when Charles was going to inherit the throne, Philip cheekily replied, “Are you asking me if the Queen is going to die?”
He also was not afraid to tease his wife, Her Majesty the Queen. Back in 1994 on the deck of Britannia in Belize, the Queen was chatting away when Philip shouted at her, “Yak, yak, yak; come on, get a move on.”
Making his music taste beyond clear
If there is one thing we have learnt from Prince Philip’s cheeky quips, it’s that the Duke was perhaps not too fond of the work of Elton John, Madonna and Tom Jones.
Indeed, Philip was overheard saying “I wish he’d turn the microphone off” while watching Elton John’s Royal Variety performance, as well as calling his car “ghastly”.
The Duke also took issue with another Royal Variety performance – that of Tom Jones’s, asking the musician after the gig, “What do you gargle with, pebbles?”
What’s more, after learning that Madonna was to sing the Die Another Die theme in 2002, the Duke was quick to say, “are we going to need earplugs?”
Not-so-politically correct
Let’s just say, some of Prince Philip’s comments have been not-so-politically correct.
After a 13-year-old boy told the royal he wanted to go to space, Philip replied “you’re too fat to be an astronaut”.
He also infamously said, “British women can’t cook” at the Scottish Women’s Institute and queried to a Scottish driving instructor – “how do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to pass the test?”
And those may be some of his tamest remarks.
He wasn’t afraid to joke about himself
While Prince Philip may have teased many people throughout his years, the Duke also didn’t shy away from joking at his own expense.
When approaching his 90th birthday in 2011, Philip hilariously remarked that “bits are beginning to drop off.”
Forever the joker, dedicated royal consort and beloved husband of the Queen, rest in peace, Prince Philip.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
