He’s the irreverent man behind The Queen, who last year confirmed his retirement after years of royal service dating back to 1952.
Since stepping down from his public role, the “original James Bond” has made the most of his newfound set-up, retreating to his beloved Windsor Castle and enjoying his favourite sport – carriage racing.
During his time in the spotlight, his quick wit and dead-pan sense of humour have been notorious.
Last May, Prince Philip announced his retirement from royal duties.
“In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen,” a statement read at the time.
A classic Philip zinger includes the time he asked Aussie actress Cate Blanchett to fix his DVD player because she worked “in the film industry.”
The Duke has been by his wife side for nearly seven decades, and has supported his Queen during her 65 year reign.
From the early days of raising a family in the public eye, to serving his country as the Duke of Edinburgh and everything in between, there’s no denying Prince Philip has stood the test of time and so has his love for the woman he adoringly calls “Cabbage.”
This weekend, he’ll celebrate his 97th birthday!
With his sparkling wit on hand, the Duke of Edinburgh describes his life as “traipsing around”, often joking that he is the “fella who belongs to Mrs Queen”, rather than being “professionally qualified in something.”
On June 10, the Duke of Edinburgh will celebrate his 96th birthday.
To mark the huge milestone, we celebrate the MANY times Prince Philip made laugh (and sometimes cringe).
He may be a royal but sometimes it the simple things in life that make him smile: “Get me a beer. I don’t care what kind it is, just get me a beer!”
Prince Philip once quipped, “I never see any home cooking – all I get is fancy stuff.”
The time he shared this spot on observation to school kids
During a royal visit in 2016, to Cardiff he informed a group of school children: “You must have really good brains to speak Welsh.”
Alas, a then 13-year-old Andrew Adams will never forget when he told the royal, back in 2001, that he wanted to be an astronaut.
Dashing the teen’s dreams, the Prince said, “You’re too fat to be an astronaut.”
His observation on British women and their culinary skills
In 1966 he quipped, “British women can’t cook”.
The Duke is not a fan of Tom Jones
Chatting to the singer after the 1969 Royal Variety Performance he remarked, “What do you gargle with, pebbles?”
He also confessed, “It’s hard to see how he is popular. He sings the most hideous songs.”
Music legends… Take cover!
In 2001 he told Sir Elton John, “So it’s you that owns that ghastly car is it?”
On hearing Madonna would perform the Die Another Day theme at an event, back in 2002, he blasted, “Are we going to need earplugs?”
Never one to be afraid of offending someone, the Duke once told the President of Nigeria, who was wearing a national robe, “You look like you’re ready for bed!”
His supportive words to those helping others
He once asked two community workers, “Who do you sponge off?”
While he mused to a man organising a fundraiser, “So, do you have any friends left?”
His patience is not his virtue
He belted to a photographer at an event: “Just take the f%#$ing picture!”
In 1999, the Duke was less than pleased with the musical offerings. Telling a group of deaf kids standing near a band, he said, “If you’re near that music it’s no wonder you’re deaf.”
Watch the moment Philip snaps at a snapper! Post continues after the video…
To a car park attendant who didn’t recognise him in 1997, he snapped: “You bloody silly fool!” To be fair he is married to The Queen!
His social sensitivity could do with some work…
In 1984, while accepting a gift from a woman in Kenya: “You are a woman aren’t you?”
In 1998, Prince Philip asked a student who returned from a trip to Papua New Guinea, “You managed not to get eaten then?’
In 2002, he asked a group of Indigenous Australians, “Do you still throw spears at each other?”
In 1995, he joked, “How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to pass the test?” to a Scottish driving instructor.
The time he met real life hero Malala Yousafzai… And was classic Philip
Malala Yousafzai is the extraordinary teen who not only survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, she now campaigns for the right of girls to go to school without fear.
The now-19-year-old met the Duke and Her Majesty in 2013, and Prince Philip just had to make a joke, laughing, “[Children] go to school because their parents don’t want them in the house.”
Malala can barely contain her giggles.
No matter what the leader has said, one thing is certain – his unwavering devotion to his wife.
Famously saying, “My job first, second and last is never to let the Queen down,” let’s charge our glasses to the King of funny, Prince Philip.
May you still have many hilarious moments (that your family will share with us) and we hope someone steps into your shoes soon!
Here’s to the ever-charming Prince Philip!
