The enduring marriage between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip spanned 73 years before his passing in 2021, during which he consistently provided unwavering support for her reign. Royal photographer Arthur Edwards, who observed their relationship over the years, recently recounted a particularly moving story about the couple.
In an interview with the Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Edwards highlighted how Prince Philip, despite his accomplished naval career, chose to dedicate himself fully to serving the Queen and the nation.
Royal photographer recalls a special bond between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip
“For about 70 years, he walked behind The Queen, engaging with the mayoress while she conversed with the mayor,” Edwards noted. “He did so with unwavering commitment until he retired a few years prior to his death.”
One moment that encapsulated their partnership occurred during the 2017 Remembrance Day ceremony when the Duke, at 96 years old, attended despite experiencing pain. “He was suffering greatly, and The Queen urged him to rest, but he refused,” Edwards recalled. “For him, being present was a matter of duty.”
Describing Prince Philip as being “in so much pain,” the photographer shared a poignant detail: “I remember as he left, he puffed his cheeks, trying to escape for some relief. That moment truly represented who he was.”
Edwards was moved by the Duke’s dedication to the Queen and to honoring fallen soldiers, remarking, “Even in his nineties, he remained committed to his duty for this country.” He also reminisced about the couple’s last visit to Australia in 2011, where Prince Philip lifted a child over a barrier so she could present flowers to the Queen.
“The look they exchanged at that moment was something special,” Edwards commented about the connection between Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
However, Edwards candidly shared the late duke’s discomfort with the media, stating that while photographing the Queen was a joy, capturing the Duke was “not so good.” Despite their complicated dynamic, Edwards expressed admiration for Prince Philip, saying, “Although he didn’t like me very much, I had a great deal of respect for him.”
