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    Prince Philip: A Lifetime of Wit and Wisdom
    Prince Philip: A Lifetime of Wit and Wisdom
    Prince Philip: A Lifetime of Wit and Wisdom
    Ebook99 pages1 hour

    Prince Philip: A Lifetime of Wit and Wisdom

    By Phil Dampier and Ashley Walton

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    About this ebook

    On 4th May 2017, just over a month before his 96th birthday, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Philip was to retire from royal duties in August. The news made headlines around the world and the outpouring of affection for the Queen's loyal consort was sincere and justified.


    During Her Majesty's 65 years on the throne he has always been at the Queen's side - and often a few steps behind - no one could have supported her better. Within hours of the announcement Prince Philip was doing what he does best - trying to see the funny side of life, even if it's at his own expense.


    Accompanying the Queen to a service for members of the Order of Merit at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace, he was told by a guest - "I'm sorry to hear you're standing down." With barely a moment's hesitation Philip replied "Well, I can't stand up much longer!"


    This book includes an unrivaled selection of the Prince's golden gaffes and wise words from his first public appearances as a Royal nearly 70 years ago up until his retirement this August. Including the rude, the controversial, the insightful and the downright hilarious, Prince Philip: A Lifetime of Wit and Wisdom is not to be missed.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMedina Publishing
    Release dateJun 10, 2020
    ISBN9780992613341
    Prince Philip: A Lifetime of Wit and Wisdom

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      Book preview

      Prince Philip - Phil Dampier

      2011

      INTRODUCTION

      When Duke of Hazard: The Wit and Wisdom of Prince Philip was first published in 2006 to mark his 85th birthday, it received worldwide publicity and critical acclaim.

      On 4 May 2017, just over a month before his 96th birthday, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Philip was to retire from royal duties by the end of the year.

      The news made headlines around the world and the outpouring of affection for the Queen’s loyal consort was sincere and justified. For 65 years he was at Her Majesty’s side – and often a few steps behind – and no one could have supported her better.

      The ‘Iron Duke’ has not always enjoyed a good press – but his dedicated years of service, longevity and, notably, his sense of humour have at last been appreciated by the media and the public.

      Within hours of the Palace announcement, Philip was doing what he does best – trying to see the funny side of life, even at his own expense. Accompanying the Queen to a service for members of the Order of Merit at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace, he was told by mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah – a mere youngster at 88 – I’m sorry to hear you’re standing down.

      With barely a moment’s hesitation Philip replied, Well, I can’t stand up much longer!

      It was a typical riposte from a man who had used his wit and wisdom to amuse, and sometimes infuriate, thousands of people from all walks of life.

      Since our last best-selling collection of ‘Philipisms’, Wise Words and Golden Gaffes, the Duke has continued to crack jokes at every opportunity and seems intent on enjoying each day to the full.

      Those quips are included in this edition and bring his laughter files up to date.

      We wish him well in his retirement, but we have no doubt he will keep active and still be seen often in public.

      Best of all, we’re sure ‘The Gaffer’ will carry on with his unique politically incorrect one-liners, and hopefully keep us all chuckling for years to come.

      Phil Dampier and Ashley Walton

      June 2017

      THE PRINCE OF POLITICAL INCORRECTNESS

      Chatting with TV chef Prue Leith at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in 2017, she remarked that this would be his ‘last year’. Philip replied:

      ‘I’m discovering what it’s like to be on your last legs.’

      For a programme about the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, presenter Phillip Schofield performed a wing walk.

      ‘Why are you doing that?’ asked Philip. ‘Does someone not like you? You open your mouth up there and you’ll blow up like a balloon.’

      He later introduced Schofield to a parachutist saying, ‘Meet a fellow idiot – he’s a sky diver.’

      (2016)

      While accompanying the Queen to the opening of the National Cyber Security Centre, Philip asked an employee if he spoke Russian or Chinese.

      When told, ‘No,’ he replied, ‘Let’s hope they don’t attack while you’re on duty!’

      Reflecting on the annual procession of the Order of the Garter in Windsor Castle:

      ‘Rationally it’s lunatic. But in practice, everyone enjoys it – I think.’

      Former Labour MP Janet Anderson recalled being ‘taken hostage’ – an ancient tradition for MPs – at Buckingham Palace while the Queen set off for the State Opening of Parliament. Philip told her:

      ‘If we don’t come back safely you get shot!’

      On a state visit in 2015, President Xi of China was shown some Chinese treasures from the Royal Collection. Philip told him:

      ‘You can’t claim any of them back – we check your luggage before you go!’

      At a Buckingham Palace reception to thank those involved in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Prince Philip met Conservative Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

      ‘Who are you?’ he asked.

      Hunt explained he was Health Secretary but had been Culture Secretary during the Jubilee and Olympics.

      ‘Well, they do move you people on a lot,’ said Philip, walking off.

      (2012)

      On a visit to Berlin, Philip, then 94, told a guest at a garden party:

      ‘I’m sorry I’ve forgotten your name, I forget everyone’s name nowadays.’

      The next day he met German medical student Bastian Rosner and asked him:

      ‘Do you plan to treat patients when you have qualified?’

      Not surprisingly told ‘Yes,’ Philip replied:

      ‘If I had the choice I wouldn’t see any doctors at all - they all give you different opinions.’

      On a visit to the Chadwell Heath Community centre in Dagenham, London, Philip asked a group of women:

      ‘Who do you sponge off?’

      Trustee Nusrat Zamir said afterwards:

      ‘We told him our husbands. He was just teasing.’

      He later asked:

      ‘Do you meet to have a gossip?’

      After glancing at business chief Atul Patel’s name badge during a Palace reception for 400 influential British Indians:

      ‘There’s a lot of your family in tonight!’

      (2009)

      On a walkabout in Bromley, Kent,

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