HRH Prince Philip - 'Just getting on with it' under the White Ensign

Today we take a look at the early life of HRH Prince Philip, how he came to join the Royal Navy, what he accomplished in it, and when his naval career switched to one of Royal Service.
Prince Philip on his WW2 service: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pomYhoGZe7qBhJY
Sources:
www.amazon.co.uk/Young-Prince-Philip-Turbulent-Early/dp/0007305397/
www.amazon.co.uk/Prince-Philip-Revealed-Man-Century/dp/1471183556/
navywings.org.uk/portfolio/prince-philip-saved-us-from-dying/
www.forces.net/news/prince-philip-duke-edinburghs-active-service-career
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/april/12/20210412-dofe-career
www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/dec/28/monarchy.davidsmith
www.royal.uk/early-life-and-education
www.royal.uk/naval-career
Naval History books, use code 'DRACH' for 25% off - www.usni.org/press/books?f%5B0%5D=subject%3A1966
Free naval photos and channel posters - www.drachinifel.co.uk
Want to support the channel? - www.patreon.com/Drachinifel
Want to talk about ships? discord.gg/TYu88mt
'Legionnaire' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@smclaren67]

Not a question ... but a compliment. I think your biography's are your best content, imho. Keep 'em coming ....

[@TheEDFLegacy]

​@@smclaren67 Drach is a class act. I've had the honor of meeting him in person, and he's just as genuine (and perhaps a little silly 😅) as he is in his videos.

[@themanformerlyknownascomme777]

In your dedicated Zero Video you claimed that it was a common for allied pilots to either misidentify earlier Japanese fighters as Zeros and/or to see the engine’s over-boost smoke and think that the zero was on fire and they’d shot it down. What is the likelihood of either of these being the case for Stanley Veitasa in his claim of shooting down three zeros while flying a Dauntless?

[@stevenboyd5044]

Splendid? Ever cross paths with anyone from Spartan?

[@SalomaoFresco]

Hi Drach. Well done. May I suggest a series on some of the proeminent destroyer captains, similar to the Johnny Walker video. For instance the skippers of HMS Ardent, Acasta, and others who fought valiantly against the odds. Keep up the most excellent work. Ps: if by any chance you come to Portugal🇵🇹, go and visit the museum ship Fragata D. Fernando II e Glória. She was built in 1843 in Damão, portuguese India territory.

[@pingpong5000]

I met HRH the prince once when he just walked up to where I was working. It was at BAE Warton in the 80s fixing some air systems out on the apron where the prince's aircraft taking Phillip to Holker Hall for his carriage driving competition apparently, his transport was late in arriving and he was wondering around in the rain being pursued by a management brown noser with a brolly, I was keeping my head down stuck in the cabinet of the system I was repairing when I became of someone approaching and looked up to see, it was the prince walking toward where I was, whilst telling this bloke to "f*ck off", I made an involuntary noise which brought him to me, his first words to me was that he believes these people thought he would dissolve if he got wet, honest I was scared to say/ the wrong thing, etiquette etc, so I just said "yes sir daft really you being a sailor", it took his transport about 10 minutes to arrive and we just stood in the rain two blokes chatting about my job and his Carriage racing. I have never in my life met a more impressive or pleasant man, he knew I was nervous about being near him, and he just treated me like a friend.

[@Evilroco]

He was colonel-in-chief of my Regiment , and spoke openly (against protocol) about us being folded into the Gloucester's , never a man to hold his tongue when something needed to be said.

[@derrickstorm6976]

"World's most experienced plaque unveiler" I see where Drach got the idea for his Drachianisms

[@PalleRasmussen]

I believe it is called "being British".

[@chriswatson9818]

I definitely laughed out loud

[@kevinvilmont6061]

He was giving a prominent expensive metal for that accomplishment I’m sure

[@DaveSCameron]

Drach whatanisms?😂😂

[@Conn30Mtenor]

"I declare this thing open. Whatever it is" - when unveiling a newly renovated Vancouver City Hall.

[@gybb1868]

My Grandfather served with ‘Phil the Greek’ in the gun room of HMS VALIANT. He always admired his bravery. Once during an aerial attack on VALIANT, my Grandfather and his comrades literally had to hit the deck, save for a lone machine gunner who was firing back along with cries of: “I’m going to get the bastards!”. That man was Prince Philip.

[@TheCaptainbeefylog]

I thought. "Phil the Greek, eh? I know he was a destroyerman. Let's see how Drach puts him up." I must admit that I had a tear in my my eye as the bugles called. Thanks mate. Cheers, Phil.

[@gwtpictgwtpict4214]

Got a bit dusty here at that point. Excellent stuff Drach.

[@citycboy]

Same here!

[@DaveSCameron]

I must be left out of the gang while attempting to dicypher your comment..

[@TheCaptainbeefylog]

@@DaveSCameron not a lot to decipher in there.

[@matthewcoleman1919]

Got a little something in my eye with "a man who had devoted his entire life to Public Service". Danged mosquitos.

[@adrianjorgensen3750]

Ultimate power move. “I’m the royal consort and Lord High Admiral, who are you to stop me from helming the ship.”

[@Trek001]

Sub-Lieutenant: Sir, he's taken the helm... Captain: Did you tell him to get out? Sub-Lieutenant: Yes, Sir Captain: And what did he say? Sub-Lieutenant: He'd call his wife on us Captain: His wife...? What has his _wife_ go----- Ooooohhhhhhh Yes, well... Carry on, Sub

[@suburbanbanshee]

The princess, and later the queen, was the most powerful and highest status military wife alive, and yet she did not pull all this Karen "Do you know who I am?" junk.

[@thecursed01]

still a bit unfair a king's wife is called queen but not vice versa

[@nvelsen1975]

I've seen a comparable thing when a particularly jobsworth colleague who was annoyed by lax security standards, agressively called out a civilian who exited a building where said colleague was smoking. The civilian, wearing a fancy suit, seemed puzzled and utterly ignored him, seeming to wait for something. The door opened again to reveal another civilian, this one looked a bit alarmed initially due to the sound but saw it was nothing and took a typical security pose. The door revealed our base commander. And then another civilian. And then a lt-col I don't know. I learned that day that from my colleague that experiencing so much embarassment that you develop a desire to want to become invisible and shrink into nothingness is a facial expression. Honestly how he managed to not recognize our crown-prince Willem-Alexander of Orange-Nassau I do not know. Our (at the time) future sovereign who held the rank of brigadier and was thus basically entitled to go wherever he liked including the little smoking between our buildings, so besides of his royal duties inspecting and encouraging everything army, navy and airforce meaning he had to be there, he could've pulled rank on you as well. Who, by the way, scored a lot of points with a lot of people by insisting to take his meals in our normal mess hall together with everyone and slept in a container just like everybody did, while he could've easily commandeered whatever well-airconditioned spaces we had out in Afghanistan. Today if you drive east-west over the A12 motorway you'll sometimes come across the license plate AA 86 and he's ussually reading papers in the back, tends to nod in greeting if he notices you looking into the car, because apparently coronation hasn't stopped his "We can fit 26 hours into each day, right?" schedule.

[@myparceltape1169]

​@@suburbanbanshee A trio of nurses ran across in front of her car into a railway terminus. She was with the Lord Lieutenant and surrounded by police outriders. She waited to see what was happening. When two of the nurses started walking back she smiled, waved and the convoy continued.

[@Whateverold]

Italian man here. I sharply remember the moment when I heard about Prince Philipp’s death. I was sitting in my car, parked in my own spot alongside my country home. I couldn’t believe that happened. Than I sat for a minute or two thinking of what a man human kind had lost. I think his story should be thought to any young man as an exemplar of what a proper man should be. Either being a husband or a service man or a public figure or just an handsome male at any given age. Long live to His Royal Highnesses memory. And thanks for this video.

[@SteveHill-dk5xl]

Well said fine Sir

[@chrismaverick9828]

In my admittedly limited knowledge of royal affairs of the past several centuries I don't think I've ever heard of a story in which two people of such standing are truly made for each other on a personal level. The Princess/Queen was known for her personable relation to everyone that met her and her wartime service certainly helped to forge her as someone who respected her subjects' lives. Phillip seemed to be just one of the guys on the inside, something even the strictness of ceremony and etiquette could never erase entirely. I bet they were an absolute hoot to meet in a casual setting.

[@edwardloomis887]

The thing I notice from people who met him is that they praise his willingness, enthusiasm and ability to speak personally with everyone he met, which is an invaluable skill for a military leader, but not one found universally. I love hearing that Philip possessed it in vast quantities. That, plus a sense of humor.

[@CorePathway]

Saturday Night Live (US Sketch comedy show) gave us all some insights, and yes they really were a hoot. Edit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpq4p3SNj9dga7csi=4kwovxaaALVedF0k

[@squirepraggerstope3591]

Phil The Greek's laconic description of his participation in the Battle of Matapan as a searchlight operator on HMS Valiant is a masterpiece of wry understatement.

[@Trek001]

To be fair, what chance did the Italians have against a God and a Captain named Manley Power?

[@squirepraggerstope3591]

@@Trek001😂🤣

[@cp1cupcake]

I think the most memorable line Genesis has for the creation of the world being "Let there be light". Phil being a searchlight operator at the Cape Mattapan. Coincidence?

[@NashmanNash]

@@cp1cupcake "Let there be light" "And so i did.And removed their cornea(?) in the process"

[@danschneider9921]

Phillips uncensored, never really gave a s---- sense of humor and demeanor was so cool.

[@matthewcreelman1347]

"We don't come here for our health. We can think of other ways of enjoying ourselves." -Prince Phillip

[@kommandantgalileo]

I find King George VI yelling to his future son in law to get back to port rather amusing.

[@pacman1386]

Fantastic video, I was part of a sea cadet honour guard for him in portland nearly 25 years ago. When he came to do his professional plaque unveilling duties on a restored motor torpedo boat.

[@theironherder]

Not sure why I started to watch this video, I thought that I would be bored to tears. Well, the tears came, but only at the end. Thanks, Drach.

[@SennaAugustus]

If you're interested, you can watch any of his interviews, they're not boring at all. One to recommend is "Prince Philip: The War Years - Duke Of Edinburgh On Serving In WW2 • FULL 1995 INTERVIEW" on the Forces News channel.

[@richardthomas9263]

I have always had the deepest admiration of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, they dedicated their entire lives to public service and were truly a shining example of the Greatest Generation. I felt so bad for the Queen when Prince Phillip had passed, but am comforted in knowing they are reunited once again.

[@johngregory4801]

For such a warrior, no doubt in Sto'Vo'Kor.

[@SteveHill-dk5xl]

Well said, well said.

[@JackSmith-hx8zh]

A proper man's man. It's hard to believe that Charles, Andrew and Edward are his sons, though Anne is a convincing daughter.

[@michaelraff5299]

"Andrea was tried and convicted in a very Cardassian tribunal" came so out of left field! Thanks Drach, that made my day 😂

[@dantreadwell7421]

It was, but I bet it was painfully clear exactly what kind of trial that was to you as well as I. Wonder how many people caught the reference

[@michaelraff5299]

@@dantreadwell7421 I tend to believe that we who understood it are quite the minority by now. In my eyes, DS9 and TNG remain the two best ST shows yet. But with all the new stuff and the shifting taste in the audience they don't get much appreciation anymore, especially DS9, which is a shame.

[@robertibert9269]

Nice touch "a man who spent his entire life to public service!" Its sad that much modern culture can't appreciate this life long effort.

[@Trek001]

The last time I was this early, _Mary Rose_ hadn't sunk yet

[@kittymervine6115]

thank you. As a US citizen, all the intricate royal relationships have been confusing. Also his being Greek. Plus thank you for the cute insight into his baby hood. A baby on a boat does need a crate!!

[@spankflaps1365]

27:50 On the bombardment of Bardia, Philip later said, “We fired our 15” guns at the shore, and the Italians had the effrontery to fire back at us!” Quite a Blackadder-esque attitude!

[@CorePathway]

My esteem of him just fell 3 notches. Maybe 4. Give your opponents, especially the overmatched ones, some credit for their bravery and commitment to duty.

[@annrn6148]

​@@CorePathway Do you not understand the meaning of, "dry humor?"

[@sherrile]

Thanks for this Drach! Here in the states, about all we hear about Prince Philip is that he was the husband of QE II. Prince Philip was a badass!

[@johngregory4801]

A mischievous badass. Good thing, too. It's what saved HMS Wallace.

[@frjonathanhill9817]

It is reported that on hearing the news of the British Royal family's name change, Kaiser Wilhelm II joked that he should order a command performance of Shakespeare's play 'The Merry Wives of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.'

[@briannicholas2757]

Perfect ending for this tribute. Odd as it may seem, as I am an American, I had the opportunity to meet HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip on two occasions at two very different times in my life. The first was as an 12 year boy in 1976, when I was spending the summer with my mother's family in the Miramachi area of New Brunswick, Canada. One uncle was the Mayor of Chatham, NB, and I was with my older cousins when the Queen and Prince Philip visited Chatham. Another uncle was head of provincial parks for the area, so I was with my cousins who were the same age as me, when we made our bows and I got to shake the Duke's hand. It was quite the story for a boy from rural coastal Maine, and I dined out on regulary in our school's cafeteria. My second meeting occurred during my career as a US Federal Law Enforcement officer. I was stationed in our Cincinnati office, and given my security clearance and the fact my boss liked me, I was included in a party of officer assigned when the Queen and Prince Philip came to Kentucky to see her horse farm there. While I spent most of my time wearing a suit, our agency had full dress uniform which included the classic American campaign hat, so I was wearing that. I remembered my childhood meeting vividly. Prince Philip lingered with the uniformed officers who were present while the Queen was busy with local dignitaries. He was very affable, not at all what I was expecting. He was bluff, and good humored as he chatted with us, much as you would expect from a sailor. I gather from things i have read about Prince Philip over the years, that people either greatly admired and respected him or despised him. I gladly count myself among the group that admired him. One can not help but admire a man who dedicated his entire life to the service of his "adopted" nation.

[@stephenfarthing3819]

Wow!! What a great story!! His Late HRH PRINCE Philip is a fascinating subject!

[@Macca17]

My grandfather was commander of the 27th destoyer flotilla so was Philips commanding officer in the Pacific and would later attend Philips stag night (bachelor party) and the royal wedding. Now to watch the video and see if i can spot my grandfather 1st reference my grandfather was the captain of HMS Decoy that rescued the king of greece we have a photo of hime receiving a medal from the king on the deck of HMS Victory No more appearances saddly inwas hoping the pictures from the stag party with Philip mountbatten and my grandfather sitting together would turn up

[@wastedangelematis]

do tell more !!!

[@tulliusexmisc2191]

A brilliant move, with the entire Axis trying to intercept the king, the ship he was really on was named HMS Decoy.

[@Macca17]

​@wastedangelematis I never met the man unfortunately so mostly I have information passed down to me and my own research. What I knew: he rescued the king of greece of crete What I learned recently (thanks to drach) he was at Matapan and his ship was damaged by guillio cesare What I knew he was a prolific sub sinker for which he was awarded the DSO he sank between 5 and 7 subs in the Med later went to India to train the nascent Indian navy What I learned: while in India the fist time he oversaw operation screwdriver a small scale amphibious assault in burma and had nothing but praise for Indian naval officers. He later was naval cheif of staff in Germany during the Berlin airlift and whent back to Indian to train the independent Indian navy for a few years. Sadly poor health and navy cutback meant he was retired instead of being promoted to admiral. I have more stories and photos ironically there was a time when I could have given them to drach as we both worked in the same building but alas I learned only after I changed jobs.

[@TrickiVicBB71]

Thank you for your story. Stuff like this is why I like history. The very personal stories​@@Macca17

[@TheWirksworthGunroom]

The Yeoman of Signals you quoted was Harry Hargreaves who was a shipmate of my Grandfather, ASDIC operator on HMS Wallace. I met HRH when I was presented with my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at St. James' Palace.... many years ago. God rest him.

[@2011Kestrel]

I never knew much about Prince Philip, and I frequently forgot his name, knowing him only as the guy married to the Queen. But while reading Philip’s obituary, I was struck by his amazing life and by his tremendous character. The more I learned about Prince Philip, the more he’s become one of my favourite people in recent history. Based on his sense of humour alone, I wish I could have had the opportunity to spend an afternoon chatting with him over a pot of tea or pitcher of beer, whichever one he would have preferred. Many thanks for doing this video. I’ll be checking out the interview you mentioned shortly.

[@spikeyflo]

I saw Prince Philip 3 times. Once in his capacity as Patron of the Outward Bound group when my dad was in OB. The other was when he was presenting Duke of Edinburgh awards in Sydney. I know Drachs story was mostly about Philips' early and naval life but he was a great achiever in other endeavours too.

[@jamesnorton8316]

I'm a Yank with a decent amount of respect for the late Prince Philip. He did provide a good deal of service to his adoptive country, and indeed was part of the 'Greatest Generation'. I don't believe, Americans can claim all the heroes and heroines of WWII. Thanks for all the unviewed images (by me), of Prince Philip in uniform and in his civilian life as a child. Fascinating biography. Thanks, for posting.

[@draco84oz]

Here's a bit of a story about His Highness I read at one point. I haven't been able to find the story again, so it is a bit from memory...if anyone can find a reliable source to back it up, it'd be appreciated. When the STS Young Endeavour was being sailed from England to Australia after it had been completed in 1987, the Prince was one of its initial guests. As the ship was pulling out of the construction dock, the Prince stayed near the wheel, providing guidance to the helmswoman. Eventually, however, the ship's captain saw they were going off course and ordered her back to the correct bearing. The third time he had to do this, however, he was annoyed, and yelled at her to get back on course: Helmswoman: But sir, I'm only following his highness's advice...whose orders should I follow? Captain: MINE! I'M THE CAPTAIN! At which point the Prince simply smiled and wandered off...

[@daveoaktowers]

Met Prince Phillip in 2016 at a Buckingham Garden Party, when introduced and shook his hand he said to me "i like your beard, its a proper one!" Before comparing me to a man further down the line who looked most perturbed 😂 Will never forget that meeting!

[@Claymore5]

Wonderful piece Drach! I had the pleasure of attending a lunch in 1992 with the late Queen and Duke which was being hosted by my Uncle. He asked my Uncle for recommendations on the beers available as (presumably down to protocol) he could only have the one. My Uncle suggested two or three - at which point Philip asked which was he having and said he'd have the same. My Uncle had served in the King's Own Scottish Borderers and liked a proper Scottish Heavy (strong) pint - it seemed to go down well with the Duke!

[@paulholmes672]

Brilliant Sir, Just Brilliant!! As retired military, I was stationed in your country in 1979-1982, and as a many generations ago (~1640) Scottish Immigrant to the US, I have always had a warm spot in my heart for the UK, and the Queen. I knew a lot of the high points of your monograph but your level of detailing passed on was very welcome and illuminating. Thank you AGAIN for maritime details, above and beyond the call of duty, Sir!!

[@CanalTremocos]

I'm neither Greek nor British but a big admirer of HRH Prince Philip.

[@johngregory4801]

1: Spending his life dedicated to the subtle art of mischief enabled him to come up with the idea of leaving a raft as a diversion, thus saving HMS Wallace. Well done, mate! 2: I, too, have lived a life walking past those complaining about a problem and just fixed it. Yes, people get irritated when you take away their opportunity to bitch and moan about something easily dealt with. I just didn't know I was in such good company. Huzzah, Prince Phillip, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom!

[@patrickharrison8978]

Drach! When you said he could of been promoted to head of the Royal Navy, I thought "Maybe through Nepotism". But hearing his accomplishments in only a few years I whole heartedly agree. His ruse in manufacturing an illuminated raft to draw bombing runs, we all saw in "Master and Commander " (albeit a fictional an 18th/ 19th Century ruse). His going overboard to rescue survivors without authorization we saw in "Men of Honor" ( another fictional part of a true story, with Chief Sunday aka Robert DeNiro diving to save others, against orders). His giving people stranded in cold waters, makes me think of THE BOOK "Hunt for Red October" (when Jack Ryan ditches in the water and is given naval attire aboard Dallas). Such an amazing career! An even more Amazing Life

[@TheCaptainbeefylog]

It gives a lot more creedence to sayings such as "Stranger things happen at sea" and "Truth is often stranger than fiction".

[@SteveHill-dk5xl]

He did indeed, earned his way to a very large extent.

[@anarionelendili8961]

It just occurred to me that I have been conflating the two Louis Mountbattens (father WWI and son WWII) into a single entity until now. That explains a lot.

[@AmosDohms]

That'd be one long lived chap!

[@anarionelendili8961]

@@AmosDohms I know. Sealord at WWI and still around until the 70s. When you put it like that, it is obvious they are two different people. Just that in my mind they became the same person.

[@SteveHill-dk5xl]

Remarkable man. A life well lived. We shall not see another of his liking.

[@johngregory4801]

I hope your last observation is off - we need such men now more than ever.

[@SteveHill-dk5xl]

@@johngregory4801 Very well said Sir

[@davidforbes7772]

I am not as disillusioned as many are of this generation that is currently the same age as the "Greatest Generation". As a College Instructor, I see students of that age every day. Most I believe would rise to the occasion.

[@B1900pilot]

A great man in every respect…The video of his interview showed that he was very humbled by his wartime experience…

[@ChrisHessert]

I'm not British (American), but it's nice to see the service of the United Kingdom's Royal Family reinforced from time to time.

[@Voron_Aggrav]

with the loss of Philip, and later his wife the UK and the world lost 2 amazing figures that devoted their lives to the lives of others,

[@Odin029]

It's pretty amazing that being a member of the British Royal Family was the least interesting part of Prince Phillip's life.

[@jeffholloway3882]

Very well done drach. The Lord High Admiral sounds like a man i would have personally loved to have met, and to have served under.

[@cartmann94]

“Yes, we’re Greeks. This is Agamemnon, I’m Ajax, and this is Prince Phillip of England. *(phillip) DON’T SAY A BLOODY WORD. DO NOT SAY ANYTHING!”* -Eddie Izzard

[@lukescott5938]

Is there a clip of this? 😂

[@cartmann94]

@@lukescott5938 yes, it’s from Eddie’s “Glorious” stand up special.

[@williestyle35]

Thank you for posting this. I think some people tend to forget Eddie's stand up, because of his successful acting roles.

[@tango6nf477]

There is a very old saying which is 100% true which goes, "you don't know what you've got till its gone". HRH was often made fun of and worse by the more cynical and downright ignorant and many saw him as a "hanger on". True he could be prone to little slips and he could also be cuttingly critical. What most people never became aware of were the many things he did behind the scenes in support of Her Majesty and so many good causes it might take all day to list them. He was a character, something not allowed in our modern and paranoid society, perhaps some of his detractors are now thinking of that old saying, well perhaps a few.

[@duncanhamilton5841]

The tabloids never stopped digging at him, appallingly so, because of his perceived dislike of the media darling Diana. The guy was a straight up legend. IIRC, he essentially invented the sport of horse/carriage racing as a hobby, founded the excellent Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and countless other things. Just got on with it. A leaf one of his Grandsons could do with taking.

[@tango6nf477]

@@duncanhamilton5841 I agree

[@TheRealGraylocke]

Prince Phil, my man! I'm a Yank, and have always admired this man.

[@antoninuspius1747]

I have to be honest. When I saw the subject matter, and knowing nothing about Prince Philip, I was not all that interested in the vid. But having watched it, WOW, what and intersting life. It's amazing how all the twists and turns of European politics formed the man. Thank you very much for this. It was quite enlightening and entertaining. He seems to be, as you would say, a damn good chap all around.

[@CB-vt3mx]

Dude was awesome. It is always an honor to serve with such men and women. People who do not let their "station" in life get in the way of being good leaders, good soldiers, sailors, airmen, or marines, and who are just good people.

[@TrickiVicBB71]

I still remember finding out he passed away from you posting it on your Community Tab 10 minutes after. What a great career, I agree with a few saying he could have made a high rank or First Sea Lord. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦(or the colonies as you guys call us)

[@jimwhitehouse6575]

A very appropriate video detailing the exploits of one the most underrated British Naval Officers of the second World War. It was truly a mistake that his sons were not in proper Royal Navy uniforms for his funeral, as this Royal had truly distinguished himself in combat and deserved the honor. Philip was perhaps the most under-appreciated Royal of the entire family, with the honor of his wartime service largely unnoticed by the general public - what a shame.

[@Exedus20]

Your videos always drop when i wake up too earky and cant sleep. Perfect content for 4am. Thankyou. (Im in California)

[@user-cs5ql3wq8s]

I saw an hour long interview he did on his naval service in ww2 in particular from the 1970s his stories of the Mediterranean were great

[@hambagahle193]

A wonderful man. Thank you for sharing this documentary on his life and service.

[@SteeGrav]

This biography was a masterpiece! You make great justice to Prince Philip. You make me love this man I had previously not known so well. I found tears falling from my eyes at the end. A "chef d'oeuvre"!

[@JimmyS.25]

Prince Phillip was the archetype of a british sailor, without even knowing he was british at first. He was the member of the royal family I always appreciated most. I was quite sad when he died, because I felt it rang in the end of the 2nd Elizabethan Era. It really felt that way.

[@TheNecromancer6666]

This tribute can only be described as "beautiful" and "loving".

[@The_ZeroLine]

Phillip’s dead-of-night solution seemed pretty obvious. I’m surprised that tactic wasn’t part of standard officer training. Anyway, an all-around standup fellow who experienced more by the age of 20 than most people see in a life. I love how the couple seemed to live to keep one another alive and obviously played a factor in how quickly Elizabeth followed him to rest.

[@coldwarrior78]

Hi Drach. Thanks for bringing this story to us. As an American soldier, I knew HRH had been in the Navy but didn't know anything about his service. Seems like he was one of the few just regular guys who spend their lives in service to others. Wish I could have met him. I'll bet he was a great guy.

[@All2Meme]

I wish I could have met him too, but I would be terrified of making a fool out of myself in front of him and the Queen.

[@Jayne22]

Fantastic review of a man caught between different worlds in changing times.

[@johngregory4801]

A man who couldn't be held back from doing well regardless of what he faced.

[@Jayne22]

@@johngregory4801 I agree with you.

[@emmgeevideo]

This was a real eye-opener. Thank you for revealing the man and setting aside the symbol.

[@williamgalbraith3621]

If one can have a favorite 'royal', mine was certainly HRH Prince Philip. R.I.P. and fair winds.

[@pastorrich7436]

A fitting tribute, and watched with great interest and thanks. I have a new regard of HRH.

[@hellomoto2084]

Its a hot and humid evening in india. and MR Drach posts a video , a jolly good evening indeed.

[@Exedus20]

Good morning. It's great to stay up late. It's 4am here in California.

[@roberthopkins9295]

Well Bravo! Philip's life wonderfully covered. Your coverage gave life to a newspaper personality. I'll hold this man to a much higher disposition than previous. Well done. (Oh, my view of Philip was an American view, much changed, thank you.)

[@johndodd6843]

As a non-Catholic descendent of Queen Victoria, he was, because of a 1705 law naturalizing the descendants of Princess Sophia (the mother of George I), always a British citizen.

[@Dave_Sisson]

But as a Greek he would have been Orthodox, which is even more different from Anglicanism than the Catholics are. But perhaps the law may have been more about fending off 'Popish Plots' than ensuring religious conformity?

[@TheJoeysmom]

What a great tribute to the man. Well done, Drach. Those bugles at the end.... What a way to end it. Thank you.

[@Hvitserk67]

A really nice video. In this context I always found the Coat of arms of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh fascinating and with an interesting symbolism. An escutcheon divided into four where three lions represented Denmark, a cross argent represented Greece, two pallets sable represented Battenberg/Mountbatten and finally a castle upon a rock represented Edinburgh.

[@zhouenlai2569]

Very impressive and detailed summary. Thanks a lot, almost all of this was unknown to me . A century in the service of one's country - can there be a life better lived? I do not think so.

[@lesliemackay7853]

Always liked Phil The Greek, and felt heart sorry for Him the last time I saw Him, on Rosyth. At His age, with His experience, the last thing He needed was to see another parbuilt, clean and tidy warship stinking of fresh paint!

[@BleedingUranium]

An excellent video, thank you for including all the complex family relations stuff in the decades that lead up to his own story, it was actually really helpful! I never followed the royal family closely, but as a Canadian they're always "around" as it were, and this certainly reinforces my thoughts that Philip was a pretty cool guy, and a stellar example of how a person is just another person, regardless of status/etc. With regards to that plane crash that killed Cecilie and her family, apparently their Ju 52 collided with a factory chimney while trying to land in bad weather. While usually one could simply call this a common case of pilot error, there's a rather notable extra factor involved: Cecilie was pregnant when she boarded the plane, but per the recovered bodies had given birth during the flight. It's suspected that the reason the pilot was trying to land quickly (as opposed to waiting or diverting) despite the bad weather was due to this rather urgent medical situation. :(

[@danielgrant9213]

I hope this was as much fun to make as it was to watch. I had some idea that Prince Philip had a solid naval career during WWII, but this is the stuff of a bonified war hero, even though a 45 min interview with him on his wartime experiences from the 90's that I saw around the time he passed seemed to indicate that he didn't see it that way. All he would say for himself was that his first meeting with the Japanese in his capacity as a royal produced some awkward feelings for him when he was asked if the visit was his first to Japan, and he was worried about the truthful answer that it was his second but the first was at Japan' surrender at thr end of WWII. This man was the stuff of legends, and I also love that even after 6 decades as a senior royal, he was just as grounded as he was as when he was a 20something sailor of not much social standing, always taking his duties seriously but never learning to take himself seriously.

[@jackusmc2542]

Thank you, Drach. That was excellent. I always liked the Prince, he seemed like a down to earth person. This makes me respect him, the medals he wore were earned.

[@chriswilliams1944]

A fitting tribute to a great man. Thank you, Drach.

[@alistairwhite2906]

Brilliant video as usual, Drach. Definitely helped a lot in making sense of how the Prince ended up with his sense of loyalty, duty and humour too.

[@martindice5424]

What an excellent example of a man who understood his duty and excelled at it. Well done Drach.

[@uingaeoc3905]

i only encountered him once at a reception-Lunch for a veterans association, he was in his mid 80s. Even a brief and distant view of his attitude and demeanour told me how genuine and in fact modest he was.

[@ardeladimwit]

thank-you for the posting. Prince Philip deserves much more respect than he gets and non of the trash talk given. He served honorably with his life.

[@williamgreen7415]

Thanks!

[@lokharis1266]

Suberb story about suberb man. Thank you Drach for this one.

[@CopperBased]

Prince Phillip was a very interesting and entertaining individual. It would have been an honor to have known him.

[@jonathanwhite5132]

I think it shows what a wonderful and faithful wife Her majesty was who she gave Philip the title “Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom” he loved the sea and maid her husband the head of the Royal Navy.

[@JohnSmith-se9yl]

Absolutely first class reporting. Excellent as usual. Thanks Drach...

[@gavinrewell9703]

Fascinating. Just a huge thank you for making this Drach.

[@mflashhist500]

Bravo Zulu Drach, this is one of the best views of the early life of Duke of Edinburgh I have seen. As an Australian we are not big fans of the monarchy system but it is right to acknowledge Phillip’s outstanding service to his adopted country and in later years his unwavering and critical support of Queen Elizabeth which contributed to her success as the model monarch.

[@theoneandonlysoslappy]

His final music as the Call to Action Stations is supremely badass.

[@fredyellowsnow7492]

Had to look up "HMS Whelk". Imagine my disappointment to discover it was Whelp. "Whelk" would have been a star character in The Navy Lark.

[@tulliusexmisc2191]

As was the pluralised Sub-Lieutenant Philips.

[@jamesforrester2511]

Admiral of the Fleet (RAN) 1954 - 2021 Field Marshal of the Australian Army 1959 - 2021

[@yes_head]

Nice touch at the end. His funeral happening right in the middle of Covid was very unfair, especially for Liz.

[@michaelkinsey4649]

Simply superb. Great job making this!

[@araneaetvelivolum1086]

Thank you so much for this excellent presentation. I enjoyed it a lot. Your narration of the very complicated political intricacies before WW 2 were very well facilitated. His highness was a prime example of a great leader and a good human being . Hard to find these days.

[@robbrown8550]

What a brilliant tribute. Thank you.

[@bobdankiewicz9939]

I grew up hearing of my grandfather serving as an officer aboard USS Bayfield, a troop transport which was present at both the D-Day landings as well as the landings in southern France. In this last year while researching my wife's grandfather's US Army service I found out that he was part of the invasion of southern France, and there's a 1-in-10 chance he was transported there on my grandfather's ship. And today I learn that HRH was on a ship providing fire support (and probably anti-aircraft fire support) at the same place and time as my grandfather and wife's grandfather were doing their duties. I am grateful that Prince Phillip was there at that time performing his duty as well. This helps me feel a bit more of a personal connection to this narrative. Great video Drach, keep them coming! I do have a question though - when members of the royal family serve in the military, how is a ships captain supposed to act around a young lieutenant who is also a Prince and probable future King. Is it proper to treat him just like any other junior officer, or are there still protocols to be observed?

[@stephenm.stouter2238]

When in a naval setting, naval discipline takes precedence, even back in the era when titles meant more than just a fancy name. Titled lords could be ordered about by admirals who started life on the lower deck.

[@admanpaulandrew]

Well done Drach, very informative and gave the man his due. Thank you.

[@jetdriver]

What a truly awesome tribute. Very well done.

[@crichtonbruce4329]

That was superbly done. Thank you.

[@colinsmith458]

They don't make them like they used to. This was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. That ending got me in the feels. Thanks Drach, solid work

[@whitemark84]

thank you so much for making this video

[@andrewfanner2245]

Got very dusty here suddenly in those last few seconds. Met him twice and he was a very interesting and interested gentleman.

[@Trek001]

Same here... I met him myself along with my now passed away Grandmother and asked him what it was like to sail away from Tokyo Bay after the surrender and the war was now peace. He said the most vivid thing to him was when they were sailing to Hong Kong to take on freed POWs, he didn't have to give the order to darken ship and they stopped half way there and piped "Hands to bathe" and the ship's company had a swim and went fishing

[@jonathanmormerod]

Only once, at a Cowes week in the 90's. Starts were delayed by the QE2 entering the Solent. We all had to moor up outside Cowes and we happened to join the same trot as Yeoman XXVIII, the yacht he was on. My skipper said to him "You really ought to have better control over the movements of your wife." 🤣🤣A minute or so later, we were joined by sTripper, being crewed by (most of) the crew of Maiden, all dressed in bikinis. Up to this point, he had been leaning nonchalantly against the pushpit, but when they arrived, he hurriedly stood up, rearranged his hair and made his way to bMax, so he could get a closer look at the skimpily-clad girls. Dirty old b*****d!!!

[@suburbanbanshee]

The art of asking a good question!! Good job, as I am sure he enjoyed giving you a good answer.

[@fouraces9137]

Wonderful tribute.