He was the irreverent man behind The Queen, and while he may have sadly passed away, his legacy will forever be remembered.
During his time in the spotlight, his quick wit and dead-pan sense of humour became a much celebrated trademark of the Duke of Edinburgh’s.
Dubbed the “original James Bond”, the 99-year-old still led an active life even after his retirement, most often staying at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where he reportedly spent his days carriage riding, reading, painting and meeting friends.
A classic Phil zinger included the time he asked Aussie actress Cate Blanchett to fix his DVD player because she worked “in the film industry.”
The Duke was by his wife side for over seven decades, and supported his Queen during her 69 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 stood the test of time and so did his love for the woman he adoringly called “Cabbage.”
With his sparkling wit, the Duke of Edinburgh described his life as “traipsing around”, often joking that he was the “fella who belongs to Mrs Queen”, rather than being “professionally qualified in something.”
Following the news of his passing on April 9, and what would have been his 100th birthday in 2021, we’re celebrating the MANY times Prince Philip made us laugh (and sometimes cringe).
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 was 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?”
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 was not a 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…
His social sensitivity wasn’t his strongest suit
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.
When the activist 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.”
No matter what the leader said over the year, one thing was always certain – his unwavering devotion to his wife.
Once 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, gone but never forgotten.
Remembering Prince Philip: Check out our full coverage below
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died aged 99
Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip shared a beautiful love story