Philip: The Final Portrait: Elizabeth, Their Marriage and Their Dynasty

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The only complaint that I may have is that sometimes Brandreth seems to repetitively mention his relationship with Philip, so much so that it goes beyond proving his ethos and feels like he’s bragging. Frankly, one mention of a lunch with Philip is enough, but do we really need to be reminded every time he talks about something he learns from Philip that it was from a “meal”, “conversation”, or “party”? Like, dude, we get it. You and Philip are close. These periodic bragging bits sometimes take me out of being immersed in Philip’s story, because it becomes about Gyles instead, and we did not read this book to read about Gyles. No offense. A warm, affectionate portrait of the much-missed Duke … a rich source of insights and anecdotes.’– SAGA MAGAZINE I listened to this book on audiobook, but unfortunately Goodreads has decided to prevent people from adding such new editions (without an extended review process, it seems), which has me questioning whether I want to continue with Goodreads.

You do it like this, with careful research, impeccable sources, love for your job and an enormous (and open eyed) respect for the man you are writting about. Prince Philip never commented on the Netflix series The Crown, but this personal and revelatory book tells his side of the story: truly, it is the final portrait. A stately, respectful and joyful tribute. It is an extraordinary story, told with unique insight and authority by an author who knew him for more than 40 years.' - EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS The synopsisreads: "Prince Philip has been at the heart of British public life since the news broke of a royal romance, when Princess Elizabeth fell in love at first sight with a tall, handsome naval officer. It is the story of this love affair which became a marriage lasting over 70years that is at the heart of this book. Philip – elusive, complex, controversial, challenging, often humorous, sometimes irascible – is the man Elizabeth II once described as her ‘constant strength and guide’. Who was he? What was he really like? What is the truth about those ‘gaffes’ and the rumours of affairs? How did it feel to kneel before Elizabeth at her Coronation when he was no longer his wife’s equal but her subject, or relinquish the career he gave up to become ‘the world’s most experienced plaque unveiler’? Where did his drive to modernise the monarchy come from? This is the final portrait of an unexpected and often muchmisunderstood figure."This is no pro monarchy eulogy for those who may have doubts, this is a well written, respectful and at times profoundly endearing tribute to a man who certainly left his mark in this world, and whose presence I suspect the author misses very much. Its ironic and a little sad, but then again that's life, that after all those decades being ahead, he was suddenly becoming the symbol of a an age fading out of living memory where duty, dedication, commitment and respect were pillars of everyday life and are now laughed at or just forgotten.

Speaking of the book, the author said "[…] it was a great privilege to know the Duke over so many years and remarkable to be given special access and help in writing his life story." [2] This was a very well-written book that had the "royal seal of approval", but the author didn't pull any punches when speculating on Philip's supposed affairs. He discussed these rumors in-depth, naming names and scenarios- but ultimately came to the conclusion that they were much ado about nothing. His rational for the aura of sexuality around the very handsome Philip was being the only son amongst several sisters, was celebrated and doted upon. He carried this confidence around women forward into his adult life, and was devastatingly handsome. Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II were actually distant cousins who both descended from Queen Victoria. In fact, his mother Princess Alice of Battenberg was born in Windsor Castle. His childhood was very disrupted when the Greek royal family had to go into exile. His parents separated and he spent his later childhood essentially without a permanent home, either boarding at schools or staying with various royal family relatives. However, Philip brushed off any idea that he suffered from this chaotic home life, sporting the "getting on with it" attitude towards life. He had no permanent home until he married Princess Elizabeth in 1947. And as Queen Elizabeth herself has said, Philip was her "strength and stay" supporting her and the British Crown in all the decades since. His list of patronages and awards of recognition is huge.Prince Philip never commented on the Netflix series 'The Crown', but this personal and revelatory book tells his side of the story: truly, it is the final portrait." The fascinating biography of a man who lived for almost a century, most of his life constantly observed by the rest of the world through the biased eyes of the press. But by the very nature of his position as husband to the Queen of England, he was know my very few. The author, Gyles Brandreth, was probably one of the people, outside of Prince Philip's very small, intimate circle who grew to know him best and this book is a record of both his memories and intensive research amongst those who knew and lived closest to him.The The book is a revised and updated version of Brandreth's 2004 book, Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage. The new edition contains new content about the death of Prince Philip, and his legacy. [1] Philip was very wary and disdainful of the press. Also, as a conversationalist he loved to be contrary almost in a debate-like form, which made things very interesting but sometimes challenging for the person speaking with him. He also believed that one should not talk about themselves much, but focus on the other person. As mentioned before, he was a great letter writer and would often try to help anyone in the family with careful advice, such as when he wrote to Princess Diana about her marriage troubles with Prince Charles. He didn't like to judge or interfere in his children's marriages, but if he felt he could help in some small way, he would take to his typewriter and offer his perspective and encouragement.