Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was more than just a royal figure. He was a pillar of strength, wit, and wisdom for the British monarchy.
As we delve into the essence of this remarkable man, we uncover a tapestry of anecdotes, lessons, and, of course, Prince Philip Quotes that offer profound insights into life.
Prince Philip Quotes
“When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife.”
“Grief is the price we pay for love.”
“I don’t think a prostitute is more moral than a wife, but they are doing the same thing.”
“If you see a man opening a car door for a woman, it means one of two things: it’s either a new woman or a new car!”
“The problem with London is the tourists. They cause the congestion. If we could just stop the tourism, we could stop the congestion.”
“It’s a pleasant change to be in a country that isn’t ruled by its people.”
“You can’t have a barbecue on the balcony without the fire brigade turning up.”
“British women can’t cook.”
“I declare this thing open, whatever it is.”
“People think there’s a rigid class system here, but dukes have even been known to marry chorus girls. Some have even married Americans.”
“You can take it from me, the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.”
“I think the main problem in marriage is that, for some reason, people tend to treat their spouses like they would never treat anyone else.”
“I never see any home cooking – all I get is fancy stuff.”
“If it has four legs and is not a chair, has wings and is not an aeroplane, or swims and is not a submarine, the Cantonese will eat it.”
“A gun is no more dangerous than a cricket bat in the hands of a madman.”
“You have mosquitoes. I have the Press.”
“Young people should not be underestimated – they are more adaptable and flexible than older ones.”
“If you stay here much longer, you’ll go home in a wooden box.”
“I’d much rather be a judge than a coal miner because of the absence of falling coal.”
“I would like to go to Russia very much – although the bastards murdered half my family.”
“If you travel as much as we do, you appreciate the improvements in aircraft design of less noise and more comfort – provided you don’t travel in something called economy class, which sounds ghastly.”
“When I was in the navy, I would never have guessed that one day I’d be back here as Queen’s consort.”
“I am the world’s most experienced plaque unveiler.”
“There’s a lot of your family in tonight.”
“I suppose I do get occasionally carried away by my own eloquence.”
On Duty and Service
“If I were reincarnated I would wish to be returned to Earth as a killer virus to lower human population levels.”
“Don’t tell me things. Tell me what you’re going to do about it.”
“My job is to keep the Queen from getting bored. I succeed most of the time.”
On life and society
“If a crocodile is attacking you, you should try to take its eyes out. Or its balls. Whatever. The point is, you fight back.” –
“The difference between a successful marriage and a long marriage is that for a successful marriage you fall in love many times, always with the same person.”
“Children are the best advertisements for marriage.” –
On Technology and Nature
“Anything that wasn’t invented by God was invented by an engineer.”
“All these other creatures have an equal right to exist here. We have no prior rights to the Earth than anybody else, and if they’re here, let’s give them a chance to survive.”
“If you stay here much longer you’ll all be slitty-eyed.”
On humor and wit
“When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife.”Â
“Don’t bungle it, boys.” – His parting words to astronauts on the Apollo 11 mission, reflecting his characteristic dry humor.
“I’ve frequently been misrepresented as a philanderer, a racist, a gaffe machine, a Nazi sympathizer, a wife-hater. None of it is true. I am simply a man who has no desire to be anything else.” – A self-deprecating response to his public image.
And a few bonus gaffes for good Measure
“You don’t really want nonagenarians as heads of organisations which are trying to do something useful.” – A candid, if ageist, remark about his own advancing years.
“Oh no, I might catch some ghastly disease.” – His hesitant response to an offer to pet a koala bear, highlighting his aversion to germs.
“Do you still throw spears at each other?” – A question posed to a successful indigenous Australian entrepreneur, showcasing his cultural faux pas.
Conclusion
Prince Philip was a man of many hats – a devoted husband, a dedicated public servant, and a source of wisdom for many. Through Prince Philip’s quotes and actions, he imparted invaluable lessons on duty, family, and life’s purpose. As we remember him, let us carry forward his legacy of resilience, compassion, and commitment to making a difference.