AS WOMEN, we dreamed of becoming a real-life Cinderella and have this imagination of what our Prince Charming would look like in reality. Maybe, it's not that difficult to wonder all along if one would just look at Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
I've said in my previous columns how I'm smitten by the Royal Life, this stemming from my adoration for Princess Diana. Apart from Prince William and Prince Harry, Prince Philip is the only male royal figure that I seem to admire and respect.
As he passed away last week at the age of 99, two months before his would-be centennial birthday, social media has been filled with tributes and remembrances of the late Duke. Aside from having an opportunity to get to know him more through various portrayals of him in the drama series (albeit some are said to be fictional), the pictures and stories which are now being shared online are enough to say that Prince Philip indeed lived a full life of faithfulness and allegiance to the Queen and his family.
It would not be hard to know through the many narrations that the late Duke had a pretty rough childhood. While he is a true-blue royal, he and his family suffered many problems such as being exiled from Greece and him being left alone when his mother, Princess Alice was believed to be hidden away by the Royal Family. This left the young Philip without a home and a family until his Uncle, Lord Mountbatten took him under his care and moved to England.
With his natural charm and undeniable masculine features, then Princess Elizabeth did not find it hard to fall for him. Even with a five-year age gap, the couple made a perfect match that everyone in the world fascinated about. Through their old photographs and video clippings, one can see and feel that they were really in love with one another.
However, this is just one of the many good things that the Duke of Edinburgh will be remembered for. Many believe and say that it was his ultimate act of sacrifice -- giving up his name, his many plans, and maybe a part of himself as a person to be the Queen's consort is his legacy in the history of the British monarchy.
Having lived a life, 99 years long at that, is something to be thankful for. My deepest admiration for Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich. Sir, you are an inspiration on how a devoted and loving husband ought to be.