Prince Philip, from an foreigner's perspective

[Kishkashta]

I am not English, but have been living here for quite a while. And I just don't get what all the fuss is about with prince Philip.

Every single article I read (there are a lot of them lately...) mentions his unconventional personality and sense of humor. But the thing is, from my experience, this is just cookie cutter behavior of the (especially older male) members of the British upper class. These politically incorrect jokes that kind of just stir the water a bit and slightly off kilter behavior. I just find it weird how in these articles it is presented as something unique about him whereas in reality all these stories are just something that describes essentially his class rather than his personality.

Also I don't know how anybody can take seriously the attempts to paint his life as full of hardships (had to give up his "Navy career" to support the Queen - the only reason he had his kind of career is obviously his background and marriage, etc).

To me, from these descriptions, he just seems to be an extremely ordinary person who literally did nothing special other than existing until age 99...

Is there something I don't get about this?

@derxa

I can understand the fuss. He was married to the Queen of England. Why do people keep saying 'Queen of England'? Such an insult.

I suspect its from the USA.

I suspect its from the USA. It's not. I've often heard people on the the British media say it . Worst offenders: Piers Morgan and Paul Burrell. Twats

@derxa

I suspect its from the USA. It's not. I've often heard people on the the British media say it . Worst offenders: Piers Morgan and Paul Burrell. Twats

Has Paul Burrell retired from his career as professional royal toady, gossipmonger and Diana hanger-on? His face seems delightfully absent from TV these days. Or has his role been usurped by Lady Colin Campbell?

Phrenologist

Burrell tried to make a comeback on the back of PH and MM but nothing came of it as (I suspect) he has no direct links.

Has Paul Burrell retired from his career as professional royal toady, gossipmonger and Diana hanger-on? His face seems delightfully absent from TV these days. Or has his role been usurped by Lady Colin Campbell?

Someone said he’s moved mainly to being a talking head for Australian & US TV because the UK are sick of him.

I would have a quick look on YouTube to check that, but I don’t want the algorithm to think I’m a fan of his. 😏

Best to leave comments to the British. Oh my word!! Is that you, Meghan?

Who's that other royal commenter who's just as odious? They caught her offering up commentary about the Oprah interview before it had even been aired.

@VladmirsPoutine

Who's that other royal commenter who's just as odious? They caught her offering up commentary about the Oprah interview before it had even been aired.

One of the four they pranked into offering fake commentary? Ingrid Seward was amongst them. Can’t remember whether there were other women in the quad.

Did they all go to ground or were they unabashed?

I’m not British and don’t have any particular thoughts on the man, but was amused at news reports talking about how he supported the Queen by taking on a more hands-on parenting role.

Honestly, if you raised that bunch of philandering, work-sky, adulterers, and one who is irrefutably linked to Epstein and Maxwell, wouldn’t you consider that you’d failed as a parent?

I thought Nicola Sturgeon did a rather lovely speech about him. He does seem to have been held in high regard across the political divide.

@VodselForDinner

I’m not British and don’t have any particular thoughts on the man, but was amused at news reports talking about how he supported the Queen by taking on a more hands-on parenting role.

Honestly, if you raised that bunch of philandering, work-sky, adulterers, and one who is irrefutably linked to Epstein and Maxwell, wouldn’t you consider that you’d failed as a parent?

One of the four they pranked into offering fake commentary? Ingrid Seward was amongst them. Can’t remember whether there were other women in the quad.

Yes!!! That's the one. I don't imagine there were any repercussions. Horrid woman!

Perfect timing

Don't think you could call Princess Anne workshy.As a family we have had connections with both Riding for the Disabled. MIL ran a centre for years- and The Princes Trust. I would to know what some of you have done that have impacted so positively on so many young people?And you must all have perfect families .I know I haven't.One asked to borrow some of my dad's family memorabilia to 'look at ',medals included ,and sold them.Thankfully the majority of my family are decent,honest and hardworking.
And it would be great to know where Ops home country is.You are very welcome here by the way OP but I would love to know so I can scrutinise your birth countries track record on race relations,traditions and protocols .

@enigma16

I agree with you, OP, but English people are incredibly, unquestioningly sentimental about the Royal Family.

For me his gaffes, especially the racist and sexist ones, coming from someone of his privilege, put me right off, combined with the fact that he really hasn't done anything extraordinary. As you said the Duke of Edinburgh Award was actually the idea of someone else who did all the work...

Put your hard hat on!

He was liked and respected in lots of countries. Not just by 'The English'

I agree with you, OP, but English people are incredibly, unquestioningly sentimental about the Royal Family.

Yes that’s right; all of us.
Unwaveringly Soppy.
About all of them.
No critical faculties.

Nothing like a good national stereotype, is there?

English people are incredibly, unquestioningly sentimental about the Royal Family.
That's racist that is.

He lived until 99 because he was well looked after and had good food and low stress and good housing and good doctors all his life

Wow, how did my dad who was born in a Durham pit village live to be 99 then? What was his secret?

@DynamoKev

English people are incredibly, unquestioningly sentimental about the Royal Family. That's racist that is.

@Snugglepiggy

Don't think you could call Princess Anne workshy.As a family we have had connections with both Riding for the Disabled. MIL ran a centre for years- and The Princes Trust. I would to know what some of you have done that have impacted so positively on so many young people?And you must all have perfect families .I know I haven't.One asked to borrow some of my dad's family memorabilia to 'look at ',medals included ,and sold them.Thankfully the majority of my family are decent,honest and hardworking. And it would be great to know where Ops home country is.You are very welcome here by the way OP but I would love to know so I can scrutinise your birth countries track record on race relations,traditions and protocols .

Princess Anne works very hard. She does an enormous number of engagements per year and puts a lot of work into supporting her charities.

I agree about Princess Anne. I watched the documentary about her and she is constantly on the go and puts in very long hours.

Charles is also known for working late into the night. Sophie does a lot too but never gets any publicity.

Princess Anne sat through a ceremony at the Albert Hall that took literally hours, that was quite boring, and remained composed throughout. she even smiled at me when i curtsied.
i was one of the few to do it correctly.
all those years in front of the headmistress, my education came in useful at last, i thought !

I also attended a graduation ceremony where Princess Anne presided as thousands of University of London graduates passed across the stage in front of her. She must have been bored rigid, but she didn't show it. I'm grateful to her for that.

That’s what you call class. It’s not about her and her clothes or how she looks. She knows how lucky she is and she knows what the job entails.