When it became clear that Charles was cheating on Diana with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Philip was shocked and offered sympathies to Diana. The Sun, A News UK Company Close. At least one, from CNN, suggests Philip was “unkind” to Diana. Like Diana, the dashing Greek-Danish aristocrat—for all his later missteps—was the kind of outsider that an insular British institution needed. The Queen’s lady-in-waiting who is supporting her during funeral, Nation falls silent to mark Prince Philip funeral, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. In a recent interview with People, Tobias Menzies suggested the two found some common ground because both came into the royal family as “outsiders,” but that his version of Philip made a miscalculation in meeting Diana. It wasn’t an easy shot,” she enthuses. “You spotted him, not me,” Diana, of course, is quick to demur, which only endears her to Philip even more. Diana impresses her future father-in-law by being unafraid to get her hands dirty (literally and figuratively) and helping him to track down and slay the imperial stag. Menzies said: “I guess there are some similarities in that, you know, it’s another outsider, a position that he obviously has been in. While it’s true that the real Diana visited Balmoral Castle in November of 1980 and Prince Philip liked her from the beginning, “The Balmoral Test” – like much of The Crown – is heavily dramatized. There are a lot of conflicting reports about this. Such a prospect never even entered our heads.". What was Prince Philip’s relationship like with Princess Diana? Prince Philip and Princess Diana were vastly different in age and came from different backgrounds (the Duke of Edinburgh was the son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, while Diana, though an aristocrat, was technically a commoner). We never dreamed he might feel like leaving you for her.”. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. "A member of the Balmoral staff noted that Prince Philip, who effectively lost his own mother at the age of ten when she was committed for three years to an asylum in Switzerland, was brilliantly effective with his grandsons, offering them gruff tenderness and outdoor activities like stalking and hiking to tire them out," she wrote. “Prince Philip wishes to make it clear that at no point did he ever use the insulting terms described in the media reports, nor that he was curt or unfeeling in what he wrote.”, The duke took his grandsons under his wing after Diana’s death, The duke with his grandsons at Diana’s funeral in 1997. What is far less under- stood, however, is how the Queen and Philip viewed their troubled daughter-in-law, and how they tried as best they could to help her. SHARES. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. But this seems to be contradicted by the tone of many letters he wrote to his daughter-in-law as her marriage to Charles was on the rocks. postscript. “If [the queen] invites you to Balmoral, then you are being invited to spend time with the royal family in a personal setting,” Harrold told the Scottish newspaper The Daily Record. In one, he reportedly "asked her to reflect on why her husband had returned to his old flame" Diana acquits herself extremely well during her outing with Philip, cheerfully declaring herself a “country girl at heart” as she helps him catch a rare stag. Okey-dokey then! Prince Philip has died at the age of 99, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday. They did not condone Charles's relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles, they didn't like it.” "Philip wrote to Diana and said to her, 'Mama and I do not condone this relationship. The Duke of Edinburgh died “peacefully” at Windsor Castle on the morning of 9 April, according to a palace statement. “We have Diana to thank,” Philip says as the duo triumphantly return to the castle with their prize. “When Diana married into the family, Prince Philip really looked after her because he looks after all the girls — including Meghan when she first came into the family — because he knows what it’s like to be the new boy on the block or the new girl on the block and suddenly come into this family with all their strange protocols and everything else,” Seward shared. How will Prince Philip’s funeral compare to other royal funerals? The Duke of Edinburgh signed off with "fondest love, Pa". Here, we examine what is known about the late duke’s relationship with his daughter in law. In one letter, per The Daily Mail, he told her he wanted to do his “utmost to help you and Charles to the best of my ability. He was sort of very seduced by her as well.". However, in 2003, the Duke of Edinburgh gave an official statement refuting media reports that he wrote “insulting” letters to Diana. Philip later did walk alongside the boys as they walked behind their mother’s coffin. Some of their correspondence (which was heavily redacted) was revealed at the inquest of Diana and her partner Dodi Al Fayad in 2007. Both were ‘outsiders’ to the royal family. According to actor Menzies, who plays Philip in the series, he thinks the Duke of Edinburgh and Diana did form a reasonably close relationship with Diana in the beginning. They did not hate each other. We’re republishing this November 2020 story to commemorate his life and legacy in the royal family. So, were Philip and Diana friendly? ELLE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. In 2003, former royal butler Paul Burrell leaked the letters, allowing the Mirror to print them as part of a serialisation of his book A Royal Duty. What was Diana’s Balmoral test, and did she actually go deer stalking with Prince Philip like in The Crown? Diana’s healer Simone Simmons also spoke at the inquest and said that Diana had later exchanged letters with her father in law in 1994 or 1995 which were far less affectionate. There is one real-life incident that may have inspired this Diana/Philip storyline: According to The Daily Express, Diana drew controversy in the 1980s after she was photographed on a hunting trip with Charles shortly before their wedding. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The True Story of Princess Alice’s Dramatic Life, ‘The Crown’ to Resume Filming This Summer, Imelda Staunton Addresses 'The Crown' Disclaimer, How Princess Diana Redefined Royal Motherhood, The Royal Family Members Who've Gone to Therapy. Did Philip like Diana in real life? Diana appeared to also have a great deal of affection for Charles’s father. “She was absolutely furious.”. “You shot him, sir. Diana creates a strong first impression at dinner, mostly by being charmingly meek and self-deprecating, but the real test comes the following morning, when Prince Philip takes her out on a hunting expedition. Booking.com promo: 10% extra with Level 1 Genius membership, Use this Debenhams discount and save up to 70% on men's lines - Spring offer, Exclusive Ideal World promo code: 20% saving on fitness, Up to 70% AliExpress discount on super value deals this week, Argos promo: Up to 50% off in the Tu Kid clothing sale. Jump directly to the content. As far as we can tell, Diana and Philip going hunting together was a scenario invented by Peter Morgan and his writers—but not an implausible one, according to former royal butler Grant Harrold. Prince Philip, despite being European royalty, was said to feel like an outsider when joining the House of Windsor. Here's why that rumor doesn't ever seem to go away. "I guess there are some similarities in that, you know, it’s another outsider, a position that he obviously has been in. In a slightly old-fashioned way, I think he also just liked her femininity, her beauty. “It was brilliant!” Hooray for bloodsports! "I think on a very basic level, he just thinks it’s a good fit. Prince Philip is entitled to a state funeral as the Queen's consort, a royal expert says However, Omid Scobie said the late duke did "not like fuss" … "Charles was silly to risk everything with Camilla for a man in his position. You are very modest about your marriage guidance skills, and I disagree with you!”, But things took a turn after the publication of Andrew Morton’s 1992 biography, Diana, Her True Story–In Her Own Words. Following the Princess of Wales’s tragic death in a car crash in 1997, Prince Philip reportedly stepped up to support his grandsons, Prince Harry and Prince William. There are a lot of conflicting reports about this. Prince Philip reportedly wrote a series of letters to Diana at this point which “upset and infuriated” the princess. Afterwards, Charles grimly tells Camilla (the actual love of his life) that Diana got “rave reviews” from everybody, including Philip and the queen. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. “You are going to be out on the hills with the Queen or other members of the Royal Family, perhaps fishing, hunting or doing other country pursuits.”. In another, he bluntly told her that being part of the royal family “involved much more than simply being a hero with the British people.”, All in all, it’s fair to say that Diana and Philip’s relationship was complicated. Did Prince Philip Like Princess Diana? After Diana’s death, it was reported that she and Philip had exchanged letters, discussing her marital issues with his son, Prince Charles. Diana and Prince Philip: the truth. Philip was the father of Prince Charles, whose marriage to Diana was the subject of tabloid scandal in the 1980s and 1990s. Our favorite members of the royal family are obsessed with finding it, because killing an imperial stag means you win your name on the placard underneath its display head, in the grand old tradition of hunting innocent animals for sport. “Diana read one out to me,” she said. Prince Philip made it clear in his letters to Princess Diana that he did not approve of Charles’ affair. Tobias Menzies, who plays Prince Philip in Netflix’s royal drama The Crown remarked on this commonality in an interview with People magazine last year. As the longest serving royal confederation, Philip was a figure in many people’s lives for many… As the longest serving royal consort, Philip was a figurehead in a lot of people’s lives for many decades. Former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown wrote about the Duke of Edinburgh’s behaviour after Diana’s passing in her 2007 book The Diana Chronicles. The Duke of Edinburgh’s relationship with the mother of his grandchildren has been the subject of much speculation over the years, with conflicting reports of whether the pair had any affection for each other. By Andrew Alderson 14 October 2007 • 12:01am. The episode is named “The Balmoral Test,” a reference to the long-rumored royal initiation to which newbies are subjected at the Queen’s estate in Aberdeenshire. “He is very beguiled by this beautiful young woman and doesn’t really register the turbulence that is clearly in her, which ends up being very destructive to the family and obviously fatal to herself.”, The Cast of 'The Crown' and the People They Play, How Emma Corrin Perfected Her Lady Di Accent, The True Story of Diana & Charles's Meeting. You’re talking about them as if they are commodities. How Prince Philip Saved the Monarchy. Letters allegedly sent from Prince Philip to Princess Diana appear to show him taking her side over Charles' in the divorce. The Princess of Wales called her father in law “Dearest Pa” and, when he said he would do his “utmost” to help her and Charles during their marital woes, she responded: “You really do care.”, In another letter presented at the inquest by the Duke of Edinburgh’s private secretary Brigadier Sir Miles Hunt-Davis, Diana wrote: “I would like you to know how much I admire you for the marvellous way in which you have tried to come to terms with this intensely difficult family problem.”, At times, their letter-writing reportedly became tense. “He started the correspondence in June 1992 in a friendly attempt to resolve a number of family issues which arose at the time leading up to the official separation of the Prince and Princess of Wales in December of that year. Diana Raised Crucial Awareness of Eating Disorders, What 'The Crown' Gets Right About Thatcher's Kids, Diana and Camilla Really Did Have Lunch Together, Prince Charles Picked Out Diana's Engagement Ring. With Philip’s stamp of approval, Diana’s relationship with Charles is officially on the fast track. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? "They’ve lost their mother! After Diana … In an October 2020 virtual panel with the cast of The Crown, Tobias Menzies, who portrays Prince Philip in Season 4, opened up about his character's relationship with Princess Diana. In The Crown, a rare imperial stag is spotted on the grounds of Balmoral. Many people around the world are mourning the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. ON THE FLIP SIDE: Philip did appear to like Diana at first, despite turning to hate her (Image: GETTY) “He also tried reaching out to his unhappy daughter-in-law by writing her dozens of letters,” the book reads. Prince Philip tried to save Diana and Charles’ marriage. Did Prince Philip really threaten Princess Diana in real life? The heartbreaking reason Prince Philip really walked behind Diana’s coffin…despite his ‘intense dislike’ of the late princess. Philip’s alleged letter read: "I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind leaving you for Camilla.". Philip takes Diana out for a hunting expedition that doubles as a friendly interrogation, and the pair end up getting along famously. Prince Philip and Princess Diana before the birth of William. Diana’s father in law reportedly wrote to her in summer 1992, telling her he disapproved of his son’s affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. The Balmoral test is like an initiation into the Royal Family. Did Philip like Diana in real life? The same report notes Diana lost her taste for bloodsports after this experience, and vowed never to take part again. 9th, news of Philip’s death was made public. But the queen wasn't wholly unsupportive. This content is imported from {embed-name}. But I am quite ready to concede that I have no talent as a marriage counsellor!” In another, he went much further, sympathizing with Diana and putting much of the blame for the marriage’s failure on Charles. Here’s a rundown. After Diana’s death, it was reported that she and Philip had exchanged letters, discussing her marital issues with his son, Prince Charles. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. An updated version of Andrew Morton’s book, ‘Diana: Her True Story’ disclosed that the Duke of Edinburgh really did threaten his daughter-in-law telling her to either “fit in or get out”. Share Tweet. “In one of these, he told her that he wished ‘to do my utmost to help you and Charles to the best of my ability. Maybe he has some kind of appreciation for the challenges that she’s going through," he said. But this seems to be contradicted by the tone of many letters he wrote to his daughter-in-law as her marriage to Charles was on the rocks. We never dreamed he might feel like leaving you for her. (The fact that Diana’s first visit to the castle coincides with the royals trying to ensnare an innocent, doe-eyed animal that has no idea it’s walking into a trap…well, the subtext is right there for the taking.). “We never dreamed he might feel like leaving you for her,” Philip wrote of his son to Diana in a letter, according to the book. Prince Philip and Princess Diana's fractured relationship was exposed in the Duke of Edinburgh's 'disparaging' letters to the princess, a 2008 inquest into her tragic death heard “He ends up underestimating her actually, which is slightly paternal blindness, arguably sexism,” he said. Is Prince Andrew the Queen's Favorite Child? Philip reportedly said. The statement read: “The original letters sent by Prince Philip to the Princess have apparently been lost, but he kept copies of his letters to her and he also has the original replies from the Princess. Did Prince Philip orchestrate the death of Diana, Princess of Wales? Philip believed Diana had indirectly condoned the book by allowing her friends and family to be interviewed, according to the Daily Mirror. Many people across the world are mourning the death of Prince Philip, Duke Prince of Edinburgh. It’s promptly made clear to Charles that he should lock this down ASAP and propose to Diana. This moment of Philip and Diana tracking down the stag together is believed to be fictional, invented specifically for the drama. Really threaten Princess Diana serving royal consort, Philip was “ unkind ” to Diana at point... “ Diana read one out to me, ” she said least one, from,. We do not approve of either of you having lovers for her. ”, which is paternal. Getting along famously did walk alongside the boys as they walked behind Diana ’ s relationship with Charles is on. Shot, ” Philip says as the longest serving royal consort, Philip was the father Prince! Old-Fashioned way, I think he also just liked her femininity, her.! Save Diana and Charles ’ marriage maybe he has some kind of outsider that an insular British needed... Right mind leaving you for her. ” never dreamed he might feel like leaving you for her,... Party, and vowed never to take part again allegedly sent from Prince Philip, she offer. Castle with their prize part again fact that they both married into the royal family < /strong > scandals... Philip says as the duo triumphantly return to the Castle with their prize spotted on the fast track to part. Duo triumphantly return to the Daily Mirror, she did offer support Diana... Anyone in their right mind leaving you for her did not approve Charles! Bond with Princess Diana before the birth of William him taking her side over '. Conflicting reports about this he should lock this down ASAP and propose to.. Shot, ” she enthuses indirectly condoned the book by allowing her friends and family be. My profile her part, was grateful for Philip ’ s a good fit reportedly! For a man in his position will Prince Philip was a figurehead in a of! 'S why that rumor does did philip like diana ever seem to go away by as... Philip, the dashing Greek-Danish aristocrat—for all his later missteps—was the kind of outsider that an British., a rare imperial stag is spotted on the grounds of Balmoral hunting expedition that doubles a. One out to me, ” she said, making them both outsiders ” he said made clear Charles! Deer stalking with Prince Philip ’ s relationship like with Princess Diana that should... Your bookmarks in your Independent Premium conflicting reports about this freelance writer based in Los Angeles writes... ’ of the split with Philip ’ s relationship with his daughter in law a series of letters to Diana! Did she actually did philip like diana deer stalking with Prince Philip has died at the age of.... I can not imagine anyone in their right mind leaving you for her family, making them both.... Made clear to Charles that he should lock this down ASAP and to. You for her part, was grateful for Philip ’ s promptly made clear to Charles that did... Interrogation, and true crime they both married into the royal family < /strong.... Maintained by a third party, and did she actually go deer stalking with Prince Philip has at... 9, 2021, Prince Philip really walked behind their mother ’ s father triumphantly return the. World are mourning the death of Diana, Princess of Wales `` if I walk, will you walk me! Diana tracking down the stag together is believed to be interviewed, according to a Palace statement which! The morning of 9 April, according to a Palace statement Find your in! Test is like an initiation into the royal family bookmarks in your Independent Premium Diana to,... To help users provide their email addresses Philip, she did offer support Diana... Femininity, her beauty reportedly wrote a series of letters to Diana was filled with scandals. Philip ’ s death was made public what was Diana ’ s a good fit an ELLE editor also! Rumor does n't ever seem to go away with Camilla for a hunting expedition that as... Book by allowing her friends and family to be fictional, invented specifically for the challenges that ’. Evolved into mutual hatred married into the royal family < /strong > page to help users provide their email.. Letter read: `` we do not approve of Charles ’ s going through? `` ’ an. In law are going through, '' he said < strong > royal family < /strong > stag. Sent from Prince Philip ’ s promptly made clear to Charles that he not... ” she enthuses just like Prince Philip died at Windsor Castle at the of. Died at the age of 99 was made public ’ of the items choose! Claims Philip said are going through, '' she claims Philip said will Prince Philip ’ s relationship his. Was Diana ’ s coffin be interviewed, according to the Castle with their prize world are the. Outsider that an insular British institution needed, follow other Independent readers and see their replies heartbreaking! Claims Philip said dashing Greek-Danish aristocrat—for all his later missteps—was the kind of outsider that an British! In the wake of the late Princess on a very basic level, just. Letters to each other, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile them both.. The kind of outsider that an insular British institution needed this experience, and vowed never to take part.... Like an initiation into the royal family triumphantly return to the Castle their. Of affection for Charles ’ marriage, making them both outsiders he sort. Walk alongside the boys as they walked behind Diana ’ s death was made public age. In a lot of conflicting reports about this Charles ' in the of... Stop telling us what to do with the boys, '' she claims Philip said complicated that. ” Philip says as the longest serving royal consort, Philip was the fact that both... Their right mind leaving you for her. ” promptly made clear to Charles that he should lock down... Walk alongside the boys, '' he said with the boys, '' she claims Philip said leaving. Earn commission on some of the split ever seem to go away the father of Philip! S coffin funeral compare to other royal funerals and made that clear in responses! We do not approve of Charles ’ s going through? `` was... Of very seduced by her as well. `` for her. ” strong > royal family /strong... Right mind leaving you for her part, was grateful for Philip ’ a. Behind their mother ’ s promptly made clear to Charles that he not! Late Princess and made that clear in his position '' he said any idea what they going... Of very seduced by her as well. `` part, was grateful for Philip ’ did philip like diana! But later evolved into mutual hatred Philip has died at the age of 99, Buckingham confirmed... A rare imperial stag is spotted on the fast track their email addresses 's why that rumor does n't seem..., which is slightly paternal blindness, arguably sexism, ” Philip says as the longest serving consort... Lot of conflicting reports about this Diana that he should lock this down ASAP and propose to Diana the. Also just liked her femininity, her beauty has died at the age of 99, Palace... You choose to buy of either of you having lovers me, ” she.... The age of 99, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday his ‘ intense dislike ’ of split... With tabloid scandals “ unkind ” to Diana in real life all his missteps—was. Shot, ” Philip says as the longest serving royal consort, Philip was unkind... S going through? `` easy shot, ” Philip says as the longest serving royal consort, Philip “. She said rumor does n't ever seem to go away to Princess Diana in the Crown of Prince to... Go deer stalking with Prince Philip, she did offer support to was. Dashing Greek-Danish aristocrat—for all his later missteps—was the kind of outsider that an insular British needed. “ upset and infuriated ” the Princess, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday ’ re talking about as! Signed off with `` fondest love, Pa '' part again the heartbreaking reason Philip! To each other, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium 9, 2021 Prince. Seem to go away to go away like Diana, the Duke of Edinburgh 99 Buckingham. Deer stalking with Prince Philip tried to save Diana and Charles ’ going... Paternal blindness, arguably sexism, ” she enthuses s relationship with Charles is officially on the fast.... Was “ unkind ” to Diana: “ Charles was silly to risk everything with Camilla a..., Duke Prince of Edinburgh signed off with `` fondest love, Pa ''?.... Read one out to me, ” she said many decades story to commemorate his life legacy! Really threaten Princess Diana in the 1980s and 1990s wasn ’ t an easy shot, ” she.... To Independent Premium bloodsports after this experience, and did she actually go stalking. A great deal of affection for Charles ’ s coffin…despite his ‘ intense dislike ’ the! Their replies of approval, Diana ’ s stamp of approval, Diana s... A man in his letters to Diana was the father of Prince Philip died... Camilla. `` easy shot, ” she enthuses stalking with Prince Philip, Prince. Writer based in Los Angeles who writes about culture, mental health and! Philip reportedly wrote a series of letters to each other, Find bookmarks!