For some, Prince Philip is an embarrassment with a knack for ill-judged humour and gaffes that have seen him accused of racism and xenophobia. But for others, he is a patron of goodwill, devoted to charitable causes and selfless acts and a stalwart of the royal family. Whatever the reality is, the Duke of Edinburgh, who turned 90 today, has mastered the knack of polarising the population.
Over his sixty years as royal consort, Philip became famous for making remarks which some people regarded as offensive or based on stereotypes. Some of them were immediately interpreted as gaffes; but other awkward observations were construed as merely odd or occasionally even funny.
In his own words, comments attributed to the Duke have contributed to the perception that he is "a cantankerous old sod" but I think historian David Starkey has best described him as a kind of " H.R.H Victor Meldrew". The I-dont-believe-it attitude of Philip who constantly puts one foot in it has led to much of the media today looking back at on the Princes blunders.
Overtly racist, sexist and all-around insulter Phil has been noted with such retorts:
"You look like you're ready for bed!" Speaking to the President of Nigeria, who was dressed in traditional robes, during a state visit..
"Do you still throw spears at each other?" To William Brin, a successful Aboriginal businessman, during a visit to Brin's Aboriginal Cultural Park in Queensland, Australia.
To female sea cadet last year: “Do you work in a strip club?”
To deaf children by steel band, 2000: “Deaf? If you’re near there, no wonder you are deaf.”
On the Duke of York’s house, 1986: “It looks like a tart’s bedroom.”
"Do you still throw spears at each other?" To William Brin, a successful Aboriginal businessman, during a visit to Brin's Aboriginal Cultural Park in Queensland, Australia.
To female sea cadet last year: “Do you work in a strip club?”
To deaf children by steel band, 2000: “Deaf? If you’re near there, no wonder you are deaf.”
On the Duke of York’s house, 1986: “It looks like a tart’s bedroom.”
But despite his quips he always has one fan in The Queen who made him Lord High Admiral — the titular head of the British Royal Navy and an office until now held by her — as a birthday gift and partly in recognition of the promising seafaring career Philip gave up to spend a lifetime at her side.
Awwww- one must suppose there's a soft side to the bumbling old git after all! Happy Birthday Dukie!
-ZB
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