**When we think of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the image that often comes to mind is that of Queen Elizabeth II's steadfast consort, a figure of duty, humour, and unwavering support who graced the public eye for decades. However, before he became the Duke of Edinburgh, the young Philip was a prince of Greece and Denmark, born on the Greek island of Corfu in 1921. His early life, a tapestry woven with both privilege and profound turbulence, offers a fascinating glimpse into the making of the man who would become a cornerstone of the British monarchy.** This article delves deep into the formative years of Prince Philip, exploring the challenges, triumphs, and defining moments that shaped him long before he stepped into the global spotlight as Queen Elizabeth's husband. Understanding **Prince Philip when he was young** is crucial to appreciating the extraordinary individual he became. His journey from a displaced prince to a decorated naval officer and eventually a central figure in the British Royal Family is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. We'll explore his unique upbringing, his education across different countries, and the pivotal encounter that changed the course of his life forever. --- ## Table of Contents * [Prince Philip: A Life Less Ordinary](#prince-philip-a-life-less-ordinary) * [Early Years: A Prince Without a Kingdom](#early-years-a-prince-without-a-kingdom) * [Education and Naval Aspirations](#education-and-naval-aspirations) * [Meeting Princess Elizabeth: A Fateful Encounter](#meeting-princess-elizabeth-a-fateful-encounter) * [The Formative Years: Young Prince Philip's Journey](#the-formative-years-young-prince-philips-journey) * [Family Ties and Early Hardships](#family-ties-and-early-hardships) * [From Prince of Greece to British Royal](#from-prince-of-greece-to-british-royal) * [A Glimpse into His Youthful Persona](#a-glimpse-into-his-youthful-persona) * [The Duke's Enduring Legacy](#the-dukes-enduring-legacy) * [Prince Philip: Personal Data & Key Milestones](#prince-philip-personal-data-key-milestones) * [Why Understanding His Youth Matters](#why-understanding-his-youth-matters) --- ## Prince Philip: A Life Less Ordinary Prince Philip's life story is nothing short of extraordinary, marked by a dramatic start and a lifelong commitment to duty. Born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, his early years were far removed from the grandeur typically associated with royalty. He was the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg, making him a nephew of the Greek King. His unique lineage, a blend of Greek, Danish, German, and British royal bloodlines, set the stage for a life that would defy conventional expectations. ### Early Years: A Prince Without a Kingdom Born on the Greek island of Corfu in 1921, Philip's infancy was quickly overshadowed by political upheaval. Just eighteen months after his birth, his family was exiled from Greece following a military coup. This dramatic expulsion saw the family flee on a British naval vessel, with the infant Philip reportedly carried in a fruit box. This early experience of displacement would profoundly shape his character, instilling a sense of resilience and adaptability that would serve him throughout his life. After their exile, Prince Andrew, his wife Princess Alice, and their five children—including **young Prince Philip**—settled in Paris at the house of a rich relative. This period in Paris provided a temporary haven, but the family's circumstances were far from stable. Princess Alice, Philip's mother, faced significant personal struggles, and his sisters would eventually marry German princes, further scattering the family across Europe. This early instability meant that Philip experienced a childhood marked by frequent changes in environment and a degree of independence forced upon him by circumstance. ### Education and Naval Aspirations Philip's education reflected his peripatetic early life. He attended school first in France, where he learned French, a language he spoke fluently. He then moved to England, attending Cheam School, and later, the highly influential Gordonstoun School in Scotland, a progressive and rigorous institution founded by Kurt Hahn, a German-Jewish educator who had fled Nazi Germany. Gordonstoun's emphasis on self-reliance, physical challenge, and public service resonated deeply with Philip's character and undoubtedly contributed to his robust constitution and disciplined approach to life. It was in 1939 that Philip made a pivotal decision: joining the British Navy. This choice was not merely a career path but a natural fit for his adventurous spirit and intellectual curiosity. The Navy offered structure, purpose, and a sense of belonging that his unsettled childhood had perhaps lacked. His dedication and aptitude quickly became evident as he rose through the naval ranks. His service during World War II was distinguished, demonstrating courage and leadership, particularly during the Battle of Cape Matapan. ### Meeting Princess Elizabeth: A Fateful Encounter The year 1939 proved to be momentous for another reason entirely. It was during this year that Prince Philip first met a young Princess Elizabeth. King George VI toured the naval college in Dartmouth, accompanied by his daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. Philip, a confident and strikingly handsome lieutenant, was asked to look after the princesses. He was 18, and Elizabeth was just 13. While it wasn't love at first sight in the romantic sense for the young princess, she was reportedly captivated by his charm and vitality. This initial encounter laid the groundwork for a relationship that would blossom over the years, primarily through letters exchanged while Philip was serving in the Navy. The connection deepened, and despite initial reservations from some within the royal establishment about his foreign background and lack of a secure financial standing, their bond proved undeniable. Their engagement was announced in 1947, and Philip, renouncing his Greek and Danish royal titles, became a British citizen and adopted the surname Mountbatten, his mother's family name. He married Elizabeth in November 1947, marking his formal entry into the British Royal Family and setting him on a path that would define the rest of his long life. ## The Formative Years: Young Prince Philip's Journey The early 20th century was a tumultuous period, and Prince Philip's formative years were undeniably shaped by its global upheavals. From his birth into a royal family facing exile to his education across Europe, his journey was anything but conventional. We often see photographs of **young Prince Philip in 1935** (photo credit Getty Images), capturing a glimpse of a confident young man, already possessing a certain gravitas. These images, along with others from his childhood, compiled to honour him, offer a rare look at the man before he became a global icon. One adorable photo, taken in July 1922, shows Prince Philip as a toddler, just one year old. The royal toddler wore a sweet white tunic, his hair blonde from the sun as he smiles. This innocent image contrasts sharply with the later challenges he would face, highlighting the dramatic shifts in his early life. ## Family Ties and Early Hardships Philip's family life was complex. He was the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg. In October 1928, a photograph captures Prince Philip of England’s family posing. A young Prince Philip stands to the right of his mother, Princess Alice, and Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark. From left to right are Philip’s sisters, all princesses of Greece & Denmark: Margarita, Theodora, Sophie, and Cecilie. This image of a seemingly conventional family belies the underlying tensions and tragedies that would soon unfold. His mother, Princess Alice, struggled with mental health issues and later dedicated her life to religious service, founding a nursing order. His father, Prince Andrew, spent much of his time away from the family. This meant that much of Philip's upbringing was overseen by various relatives, including his maternal grandmother, Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine, and his uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who would become a significant mentor figure. The loss of his sister Cecilie in a plane crash in 1937, along with her husband and children, was a profound tragedy that deeply affected the young prince, adding another layer of sadness and hardship to an already turbulent childhood. Biographer Philip Eade, in "Young Prince Philip," details this extraordinary upbringing, noting the "continual turbulence and a succession of family tragedies" that beset him. ## From Prince of Greece to British Royal Before he was the Duke of Edinburgh, the young Philip was Prince of Greece and Denmark. It’s important to note that he was not a British citizen by birth. His transition from a Greek and Danish royal to a central figure in the British Royal Family was a significant personal and public transformation. This shift required him to renounce his birth titles and adopt a new nationality, a testament to his commitment to Princess Elizabeth and his future role. His marriage to Elizabeth in 1947 marked a new chapter, not just for him, but for the monarchy itself. He brought a fresh perspective, a modernizing spirit, and a no-nonsense approach that would prove invaluable to the institution. Royal fans often share photos of Prince Philip in his younger years, commenting on the Duke's good looks in his youth, a trait that certainly caught the eye of the future Queen. ## A Glimpse into His Youthful Persona Ever wondered what Prince Philip looked like when he was younger? Beyond the formal portraits, there are glimpses of a vibrant, energetic young man. The man on the cover of a 1957 issue of Paris Match—unearthed and posted by Getty photographer Chris Jackson—is Prince Philip, who was 36 years old at the time, still very much in his prime, exuding confidence and charisma. His naval career had instilled in him discipline and leadership, but also a strong sense of camaraderie and a quick wit. His early life, filled with challenges and a lack of a stable home environment, fostered a robust independence and a pragmatic outlook. He was known for his directness and his sense of humour, traits that would remain with him throughout his life. These qualities, honed in his youth, made him a formidable and engaging personality, capable of connecting with people from all walks of life. His involvement in initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, established in 1956, aimed at developing young people's abilities, reflects his lifelong commitment to youth development and character building, perhaps drawing from his own experiences of overcoming adversity. ## The Duke's Enduring Legacy Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, lived most of his life in the public eye, first as a Greek and Danish royal before joining the British royal family in 1947 when he married Elizabeth. He passed away peacefully on the morning of April 9, 2021, at Windsor Castle, aged 99, two months before his 100th birthday. The cause of death was not disclosed, though the palace said Philip died peacefully. His funeral, held on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 3 pm at St George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle, was a poignant occasion, limited to only 30 guests due to COVID restrictions. Even in his later years, Prince Philip scaled back immensely on events and gatherings, but he was spotted being driven to the Sandringham Estate on January 25, 2020, and seemed to be in good spirits. His passing marked the end of an era, but his legacy, shaped significantly by his early life experiences, continues to resonate. His dedication to public service, his pioneering spirit in environmental conservation, and his unwavering support for the Queen are all testaments to the character forged in his remarkable youth. ## Prince Philip: Personal Data & Key Milestones | Category | Detail Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle on Thursday morning, April 9, 2021, aged 99, two months before his 100th birthday. It was with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announced the death of her beloved husband. The cause of death has not been disclosed, though the palace said Philip died peacefully. His extraordinary life, a story which was originally published following his death in April of 2021, is a testament to resilience, duty, and service. ## Why Understanding His Youth Matters Delving into the life of **Prince Philip when he was young** offers more than just historical curiosity; it provides profound insights into the character of a man who served the British Crown for over seven decades. His turbulent childhood, marked by exile, family dispersion, and personal tragedies, forged a resilient and self-reliant individual. His education, particularly at Gordonstoun, instilled in him a disciplined approach to life and a commitment to public service. Understanding these formative years helps us appreciate the Duke of Edinburgh's unique perspective, his directness, and his pioneering spirit. It explains why he was so passionate about youth development, environmentalism, and fostering innovation. His journey from a displaced prince to a beloved consort is a powerful narrative of adaptation and dedication. By looking back at his younger years, we gain a fuller, richer understanding of the man behind the title, a man whose early experiences shaped the enduring legacy he left behind. --- The life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
