Chris Jackson / Buckingham Palace via AFP - Getty Images Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh look at a homemade wedding anniversary card given to them by their great grandchildren in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle on November 17, 2020. On their most recent anniversary, the palace released a photo of the couple reading a card from Prince William’s children, their great-grandchildren. Though often separated since Philip’s retirement, the couple spent much of the pandemic together at Windsor Castle. But throughout, he has been a constant strength and guide,” the monarch said in March 2012 while addressing Parliament as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations. “Prince Philip is, I believe, well known for declining compliments of any kind. The wedding itself was a grand affair, with 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey, a reception at Buckingham Palace and a 9-foot-tall wedding cake. Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave after their wedding in November 1947. Like other brides in the years after World War II, Elizabeth had to use ration coupons to buy the materials for her wedding dress.

“There was concern about the institution of the monarchy, as much as about the marriage,” Irving said.Įlizabeth and Philip announced their engagement in July 1947, and got married just over four months later, with the future queen smiling broadly in photos with her new husband.

Edward decided to step away from the monarchy rather than give her up. Their courtship also took place under the shadow of King Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936 after he fell in love with an American woman, Wallis Simpson, who was twice divorced.

“Before they got married, there was a lot of hesitancy in the court and palace about whether he was the right match,” he said.

To phillip with love