Prince Philip has been married to Queen Elizabeth II since 1947, and served the royal family for more than 60 years until his eventual retirement from his royal duties in 2017.
WATCH: Prince Philip leaves Sandringham after Harry and Meghan outburst
However, according to a recently unearthed interview, the Duke of Edinburgh was left heartbroken over something that happened early on in his relationship with Elizabeth.
Prince Philip served in the Royal Navy from 1939, during which time he saw active service in the Second World War, but his career was cut short when he was forced to leave when his wife ascended the throne.
Following the Queen’s Accession in 1952 the Duke began to focus on his work in support of his wife and their service to the Crown.
Philip was so dedicated, that in 2009 he became the longest serving British consort (companion to the Sovereign).
During a 2011 interview at Windsor Castle, broadcast on the UK’s ITV to celebrate Prince Philip’s 90th birthday, presenter Alan Titchmarsh asked if he was sad about renouncing his naval career after the Queen’s coronation.
Philip replied: “Well, I mean, how long is a piece of string?
According to an article in the Daily Mail from 2011, it was also claimed: “Friends have told how the loss of his naval career hit Philip hard, but said he threw himself into a life as a working royal because of his determination to be a steadfast consort to his wife.”
The details surrounding Philip’s personal sacrifices come as his grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have decided to leave their roles as senior royals.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex came under fire for appearing to reject their royal duties when they made the announcement earlier this month, especially when the two are compared to dedicated figures such as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
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