What Did Prince Philip Think Of Meghan Markle? Unpacking Their Royal Relationship

The public, you know, often wonders about the personal feelings of royal figures, and few questions have sparked as much curiosity as, "What did Prince Philip think of Meghan Markle?" It's a question that, in some respects, has many layers, and the answers are not always, you know, as simple as they might seem on the surface. People are really interested in these connections, especially when someone new joins such a well-known family.

People often have very strong ideas about what goes on behind palace walls, and sometimes, actually, these ideas can be a bit off the mark. It's a bit like how certain complex human experiences, which can be quite unique, are often misunderstood or even, you know, portrayed in ways that don't quite capture their full reality. This makes figuring out the true dynamic between the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Sussex quite an interesting challenge.

This article aims to look at the available details, considering public appearances, reported comments, and the general vibe surrounding their interactions. We'll explore what has been said, what has been seen, and what might be reasonably inferred about Prince Philip's views on Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. It’s a topic, you know, that really captures people's attention, even now.

Table of Contents

• Prince Philip: A Brief Biography
• Early Impressions and the Wedding
• A Shared Sense of Duty?
• The Oprah Interview and Its Aftermath
• The Queen's Steadfast Support
• Understanding the Private Man
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Thoughts on a Complex Bond

Prince Philip: A Brief Biography

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was a truly remarkable figure, you know, a very central part of the British Royal Family for decades. He was born on the island of Corfu in Greece, as Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, on June 10, 1921. His early life, you know, was a bit turbulent, marked by exile and moving around quite a bit.

He joined the Royal Navy in 1939, and his service during World War II was, you know, quite distinguished. He married Princess Elizabeth in November 1947, just a few years before she became Queen Elizabeth II. For over 70 years, he was her consort, more or less, dedicating his life to supporting her and the monarchy.

Prince Philip was well-known for his straightforward manner, his sense of humor, and his dedication to many charities and organizations. He was, in fact, a patron, president, or member of over 780 organizations. He retired from public duties in August 2017, at the age of 96, making him the longest-serving consort in British history, which is quite something, really.

Personal Details and Bio Data of Prince Philip

Early Impressions and the Wedding

When Meghan Markle first came into the royal fold, there was, you know, a lot of speculation about how she would be received. Prince Philip, you know, was known for his bluntness, but also for his deep loyalty to the Crown and its traditions. Initial reports and observations suggested a rather warm reception for Meghan, which was, you know, quite reassuring for many.

One of the earliest public signs of their connection was at the Christmas Day service at Sandringham in 2017. Meghan was seen walking alongside Prince Philip, chatting and laughing, which, you know, seemed to indicate a comfortable rapport. This was a very early indication, and people really took notice.

During Meghan and Harry's wedding in May 2018, Prince Philip, despite having recently undergone hip surgery, you know, made a point of attending. He was seen smiling and seemed to enjoy the festivities. This act of presence, actually, was widely interpreted as a sign of his support and approval, you know, of Harry's choice. It showed, in a way, his commitment to family events.

Sources close to the family, you know, often mentioned that Philip admired Meghan's independence and her confidence. He had, after all, married a strong, independent woman himself. There was, in some respects, a shared background in military service for Harry, and Meghan's American background, while different, brought a certain fresh perspective, which Philip, you know, might have found interesting. He was, you know, quite open to new ideas in his own way.

A Shared Sense of Duty?

Prince Philip, you know, always placed a very high value on duty and service to the monarchy. He spent his entire adult life, more or less, in service to the Queen and the country. When Meghan joined the family, there was, in a way, an expectation that she, too, would embrace this ethos of public service.

Reports suggested that Philip appreciated Meghan's enthusiasm for her new role and her willingness to learn the ropes. She was, you know, very keen to get involved in royal duties and charity work. This shared commitment to public engagement, you know, could have been a point of connection between them. It's a bit like how people who share a passion for something often find common ground, you know?

There are accounts, you know, of Prince Philip giving Meghan advice on navigating the unique aspects of royal life. He had, after all, experienced the challenges of adapting to such a public and scrutinized existence himself. These moments, you know, were likely private, but they suggest a mentoring relationship, or at least, you know, a willingness to share his vast experience. He was, you know, quite pragmatic about these things.

It's also worth noting that Prince Philip was, you know, known for his ability to put people at ease. He had a way of cutting through formality, which, you know, might have been helpful for Meghan as she adjusted to her new life. This ease, in some respects, could have helped foster a genuine connection between them. You can learn more about royal traditions on our site, which really highlights these sorts of interactions.

The Oprah Interview and Its Aftermath

The Oprah Winfrey interview, which aired in March 2021, you know, certainly created a stir. It was, arguably, a very difficult time for the Royal Family. At the time of the interview's airing, Prince Philip was, you know, in hospital recovering from heart surgery. This timing, naturally, added another layer of complexity to the situation.

While Prince Philip never publicly commented on the interview, you know, it's widely believed that the content, particularly the accusations made, would have caused him considerable distress. He was, after all, a man who had dedicated his life to protecting the monarchy's reputation and integrity. The idea of public airing of grievances, you know, was likely very much against his personal code.

It's important to remember, though, that Prince Philip's health was a major concern at this point. The focus, for the family, was very much on his recovery. Any private feelings he had about the interview, you know, would have been overshadowed by his physical condition and the family's concern for him. This period was, you know, a really challenging one for everyone involved.

Despite the public fallout, you know, it's believed that family ties, in a way, remained important to Philip. Harry flew back to the UK for his grandfather's funeral in April 2021, which, you know, showed a continued connection. The complexities of family relationships, you know, are often not straightforward, especially when public roles are involved. It's, you know, just how things are sometimes.

The Queen's Steadfast Support

One very crucial aspect to consider, you know, when thinking about Prince Philip's view, is his unwavering support for Queen Elizabeth II. His primary loyalty was always to his wife and her role as monarch. If the Queen was, you know, generally supportive of Meghan, it stands to reason that Philip would, in his own way, align with that support.

The Queen was, you know, very welcoming to Meghan. She invited her to spend Christmas at Sandringham before the wedding, which was, you know, a pretty rare gesture. They also undertook a joint engagement in Chester, which, you know, showed the Queen's willingness to introduce Meghan to royal life in a very personal way. This level of endorsement from the Queen would, you know, certainly have influenced Philip's perspective.

Philip and Elizabeth had, you know, a marriage built on mutual respect and shared duty. It's highly unlikely that Philip would have openly expressed strong negative feelings about someone the Queen had, you know, clearly embraced. His support for the Queen was, in fact, the bedrock of his public life. This is, you know, a very important point to remember.

So, while Philip might have had his own private thoughts, you know, his public stance and actions would have been guided by his loyalty to the Queen and the institution. This dynamic, you know, is a really key part of understanding the royal family's interactions. You can find more details on royal family dynamics here.

Understanding the Private Man

Prince Philip was, you know, a famously private person. He rarely, if ever, spoke publicly about personal feelings or family matters. His public persona was, in some respects, one of duty, stoicism, and a dry wit. This makes it, you know, quite difficult to pinpoint his exact thoughts on any individual, including Meghan.

What we do know, you know, comes from observations, anecdotes from those close to him, and interpretations of his actions. He was, you know, a man of action rather than words when it came to personal sentiments. His approval or disapproval was often shown through gestures or, you know, simply by his presence. He was, you know, very much a "show, don't tell" kind of person.

It's also worth remembering that Philip had, you know, seen many people join and leave the royal family over the decades. He had, you know, a very long perspective on these things. He understood the pressures and the challenges, perhaps better than anyone. His reactions, you know, were likely tempered by this vast experience and his pragmatic approach to life.

Ultimately, you know, any definitive statement about what Prince Philip truly thought of Meghan Markle remains, arguably, speculative. He was a complex individual, and his relationships, like many, had their nuances. We can only piece together the picture from the moments we observed and the stories that, you know, have emerged over time. It's, you know, a very human thing, really, to try and understand these connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Prince Philip attend Meghan and Harry's wedding?

Yes, he did, actually. Prince Philip, you know, attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. This was, you know, despite having undergone hip surgery just a few weeks prior. His presence was, you know, seen as a strong sign of his support for the couple.

Were Prince Philip and Meghan Markle seen together often?

They were, you know, seen together at various family events and public gatherings, especially in the period leading up to and immediately following the wedding. For example, they were seen at Christmas Day services and other official engagements. While not, you know, constantly together, their interactions seemed, you know, generally positive in public settings.

What was Prince Philip's general attitude towards new members of the Royal Family?

Prince Philip was, you know, generally known for being quite welcoming to new members of the Royal Family, provided they were, you know, committed to their roles and understood the responsibilities. He was, you know, a pragmatist and understood that the family needed to adapt. He had, you know, a long history of supporting those who joined the firm, as it's sometimes called.

Final Thoughts on a Complex Bond

Trying to truly know what someone as private as Prince Philip thought about any specific person, you know, is always going to be a bit of a challenge. What we can say, based on public appearances and reported anecdotes, is that there was, you know, an initial warmth and a clear sense of support from him towards Meghan Markle. His presence at her wedding, you know, speaks volumes, in a way.

The later developments, particularly the Oprah interview, no doubt presented, you know, a difficult situation for the entire family. However, Prince Philip's ultimate loyalty was always to the Queen and the stability of the monarchy. Any personal feelings he had would have been, you know, secondary to that overarching commitment. He was, you know, very much a man of duty.

The relationship between Prince Philip and Meghan Markle, you know, like many family dynamics, was likely nuanced and evolved over time. While we may never get a definitive, direct answer from Prince Philip himself, the available evidence points to a respectful, if not always openly effusive, connection. It's a fascinating part of, you know, recent royal history, and people will continue to wonder about it, you know, for a long time.