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The royal family
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Prince Philip, from an foreigner's perspective

489 replies

Kishkashta · 12/04/2021 14:00

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?

OP posts:
HeadNorth · 14/04/2021 14:07

There’s nothing inherently brilliant about the 21st century. Quite the reverse.

I don't know, if you are gay, trans, at risk of forced marriage or FGM, have disabilities or other protected characteristics then the 21st century may not be brillianrt but it is a definite improvement on what went before. I can see if you are white, straight and wealthy you may feel like it had gone downhill somewhat.

Frownette · 14/04/2021 14:10

Is that Sophie?

Frownette · 14/04/2021 14:11

@Alsohuman?

VladmirsPoutine · 14/04/2021 14:12

There’s nothing inherently brilliant about the 21st century. Quite the reverse.

Grin this has very 'old man yells at clouds' energy! Let's all go back to the Victorian era!

UnderHisAye · 14/04/2021 14:19

But calling your aged mother daily is pretty normal. That's what I mean. It's like every so often they go 'well, we better release a photo to make us look normal' and the DM runs it and we all go 'ahhhh they're just like us really'. Meanwhile they're lobbying the government so they can hide their obscene wealth.

Alsohuman · 14/04/2021 14:48

@UnderHisAye

But calling your aged mother daily is pretty normal. That's what I mean. It's like every so often they go 'well, we better release a photo to make us look normal' and the DM runs it and we all go 'ahhhh they're just like us really'. Meanwhile they're lobbying the government so they can hide their obscene wealth.
Calling your Mil is DH’s job on MN!

Let's all go back to the Victorian era!

You might want to check your history! There’s plenty that’s better in the 21st century but there’s also plenty that’s worse.

Iamthewombat · 14/04/2021 15:04

Where would we be now without Henry the 8th!

Pretty much where we are today? Just with no wife murderer to make films about?

What about King Arthur?

Yes, the impact of the fictional King Arthur on British history cannot be underestimated.

Ted27 · 14/04/2021 17:25

Whether you view it as good or bad is up for debate but without Henry 8 there would be no Church of England and we would be living in a catholic state.

Perhaps there is a similar debate to be had about how millions of people around the world view the Papacy
As neither a royalist or a Catholic, it seems to me that people 'bow and fawn' to use some favoured mumsnet terms to both institutions

Lauren15 · 14/04/2021 17:31

Has anyone seen the headline that Andrew wants to come to the funeral dressed as an admiral, a position he doesn’t hold. Do I have a strange sense of humour that it makes me laugh that these people can just decide what they’re dressing up as? Does anyone remember the seventies kid’s show Mr Ben?
Is anyone else concerned Andrew is going to try to use the sympathetic mood of the public right now to re-enter public life?

Alsohuman · 14/04/2021 17:37

@Lauren15

Has anyone seen the headline that Andrew wants to come to the funeral dressed as an admiral, a position he doesn’t hold. Do I have a strange sense of humour that it makes me laugh that these people can just decide what they’re dressing up as? Does anyone remember the seventies kid’s show Mr Ben? Is anyone else concerned Andrew is going to try to use the sympathetic mood of the public right now to re-enter public life?
I saw it on Twitter and assumed it was a joke.
toffeebutterpopcorn · 14/04/2021 17:38

Maybe he could go as a pantomime horse and sneak fergie in?

UnderHisAye · 14/04/2021 17:40

Imagine having a tantrum about what to wear to your own dad's funeral, and your mum having the final say!

Lauren15 · 14/04/2021 18:35

@toffeebutterpopcorn

Maybe he could go as a pantomime horse and sneak fergie in?
I’m at the hairdressers, waiting for my colour to develop, and that comment made me laugh out loud!
Maireas · 14/04/2021 18:45

@toffeebutterpopcorn

Maybe he could go as a pantomime horse and sneak fergie in?
GrinGrin excellent!
Maireas · 14/04/2021 18:46

@UnderHisAye

Imagine having a tantrum about what to wear to your own dad's funeral, and your mum having the final say!
... in your 60s..Hmm
Housewife2010 · 15/04/2021 06:50

@UnderHisAye

Imagine having a tantrum about what to wear to your own dad's funeral, and your mum having the final say!
Do you automatically believe everything reported by the tabloids?
UnderHisAye · 15/04/2021 08:10

Right, because he has no form for being spoiled and arrogant.

Lauren15 · 15/04/2021 08:37

The Telegraph are reporting it and are also claiming that none of the senior royals will wear uniform, in order to appease Harry and Andrew. I guess the truth will be revealed on Saturday.

toffeebutterpopcorn · 15/04/2021 08:40

Organising a funeral is stressful enough without having to manage clothes too (dads was ‘not black’).

JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/04/2021 09:22

Can you imagine the eye rolling at Windsor.

TheFourOhFour · 15/04/2021 09:40

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Can you imagine the eye rolling at Windsor.
'Andrew, I said PUT THOSE MEDALS DOWN! You did NOT fight at the Battle of the Bulge!' Grin
toffeebutterpopcorn · 15/04/2021 09:44

I’m my minds eye they have a giant walk in wardrobe full of various military art costumes...

I’m going to go as the archduke Ferdinand! No I wanted to do as Bismarck...

TheFourOhFour · 15/04/2021 09:55

@toffeebutterpopcorn

I’m my minds eye they have a giant walk in wardrobe full of various military art costumes...

I’m going to go as the archduke Ferdinand! No I wanted to do as Bismarck...

That's the cheeriest image anyone's given me of the RF in aeons. Backroom squabbling over who gets the wear the Pickelhaube. With or without plume. Grin
Lauren15 · 15/04/2021 10:03

@toffeebutterpopcorn

I’m my minds eye they have a giant walk in wardrobe full of various military art costumes...

I’m going to go as the archduke Ferdinand! No I wanted to do as Bismarck...

Grin
mermaidsariel · 15/04/2021 10:19

Yes, fancy dress might be the answer to all this...