The Queen's 73-year marriage to Prince Philip
As the country mourns the death of the Queen, we take a look back at her marriage to the Duke of Edinburgh
Last updated 13th Sep 2022
As the country mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we take a look back at her long marriage to the Duke of Edinburgh.
Their royal love affair spans decades, with Princess Elizabeth first meeting her future husband in 1934, when she was only 8-years-old. Prince Philip went on to be the longest serving Royal Consort in British history.
The couple met again in 1939, but it was not until 9 July 1946 that the couple announced their engagement. Prince Philip had asked for King George VI’s permission, who agreed on the condition that the official announcement would not be made until his daughter had turned 21.
Upon becoming engaged to Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip abandoned his Dutch and Greek royal titles and became a British citizen, going by the name Mountbatten.
When did Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip get married?
The pair married in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947, less than five years before Princess Elizabeth became Queen.
Over 70-years of marriage
Both Queen Elizabeth and her husband broke records: The Queen is the longest reigning Monarch in British history, while Prince Philip is the longest serving Consort in the history of the British monarchy.
Having spent over 70-years of marriage under the watchful gaze of the British public, the couple together faced both celebrations and challenges, but remained united throughout.
At their Golden wedding celebrations in 1997, the Queen credited Prince Philip as being her “strength and stay all these years” and recognised his “constant love and help” in supporting her throughout her reign.
They were married for 73 years before Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died aged 99 on 9th April 2021.
The Royal marriage in pictures:
The Royal Wedding
The newly married Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. They married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, having announced their engagement in July 1946.
The Coronation
Waving from Buckingham Palace, this time as the newly coronated Queen and Consort of the Monarch. The Queen's coronation took place on 2 June 1953, following the death of her father, King George VI the previous year.
Silver Wedding Anniversary
Their Royal Highnesses celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary at Balmoral in Scotland in 1972.
The new millenium
Prince Philip kisses the Queen as they celebrate entering a new millennium. In the year 2000, they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Duke of Edinburgh receives honour from Queen
In 2013, the Queen presented her husband, Prince Philip, with the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest honour. This was awarded alongside the Queen's birthday honours list in 2012, on the advice of the New Zealand Government.
Sharing a smile
The couple have been frequently caught sharing a smile or a laugh when carrying out visits and Royal duties. Their daughter-in-law, the Countess of Wessex once noted that the success of the pair's relationship was founded in laughter and support. She said: "they make each other laugh, which is half the battle, isn't it?"
Prince Philip's funeral
After 73 years of marriage, Prince Philip passed away aged 99. The Queen had to sit on her own for the funeral due to social distancing rules in place at the time. The Queen described the death of the Duke of Edinburgh as leaving "a huge void" in her life.
Read more:
Queen Elizabeth II, a life in pictures
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died aged 96
Tributes paid to Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen and her many Prime Ministers
Balmoral - The Queen's beloved Scottish summer holiday home
The Queen's lifelong love of horses
More news on Clyde 1:
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.