What Prince Philip's Traumatic Childhood Tells Us About The Kind Of Man He Really Was
Prince Philip may be known to fans of The Crown as the patriarch of the family but his own history was one of tragic loss – and having no family of his own for much of his childhood and young adult years.
The longest-serving British consort in history passed away peacefully at 99 on April 9, 2021. His commitment to the Queen and royal family was unwavering, but you might be surprised to know he had quite a turbulent upbringing himself. Determined not to repeat the past, here's how he overcame childhood abandonment and became a rock for those around him.
He wasn't born into British royalty
Prince Philip was born into royalty – but not British royalty. He was a Greek prince. His parents were Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg, and at the time of his birth, Philip was sixth in line to the Greek throne.
He had lots in common with his future bride, then-princess Elizabeth. They were both children of younger siblings of monarchs. But their lives took very different turns.
A turbulent childhood
"Whereas the Queen experienced a very close-knit and happy family life—apart from the Abdication in 1936 when she was 10—Philip’s childhood was far more turbulent," Philip Eade, author of Young Prince Philip, told Town & Country.
Philip’s family was forced to flee their country, and relocated to Paris, where he spent very little time with his parents in his early years. His mother had a nervous breakdown and spent some time in a sanatorium, his sisters were married off to aristocrats, and his father relocated to the south of France. He was very much alone. He had no one to care for him and ended up in the care of his mother’s extended family – the Mountbattens, who had ties to British royalty.
Meeting Queen Elizabeth
That’s how Philip ended up going to school in England, and ultimately, what led to him meeting the Queen (back when she was a teenager, and a princess!).
While Philip and then-Princess Elizabeth were actually distantly related themselves (they share a great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria), they were instantly smitten and wrote letters for years before officially embarking on a relationship, and later, a marriage.
They stayed together for 73 years. What he lacked in family growing up, he put into being the patriarch of the most famous family in the world through several tragedies and scandals.
Overcoming childhood circumstances
He overcame his childhood abandonment and the breakup of his own family and became a parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent. He was also one of the most recognizable and beloved figures of the royal family, from his tough no-nonsense exterior to his legendary sense of humor.
While Prince Philip was born into privilege, he didn't come from a loving home. His legacy is a reminder that no matter our upbringing, we can do our best to make different choices for ourselves and avoid repeating history with our own family. And we can choose to give the love we were deprived of.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.