Peta Credlin: Prince Philip’s life well-lived in service to others and his wife

Prince Philip was not merely the Queen’s consort but someone who lived a full life of duty and service to others, Peta Credlin writes.

Much of the world has paused to reflect on the life of Prince Philip, not merely because he was their Queen’s consort but because he was someone who lived a full life of duty and service and — as so often — that’s only really appreciated when it’s over and he’s gone.

Indeed, given the parlous knowledge of history now prevalent in younger generations, but for The Crown, I wonder how many people even knew his story?

After all, he’s an exemplar of duty and service, someone who served with gallantry in the Royal Navy throughout World War II, including D Day.

And subsequently was not just a dutiful and supportive spouse to the Queen but founded the Duke of Edinburgh awards for youth leadership in which over half a million Australians have participated; indeed, of the over 800 organisations of which he was patron, almost 50 were in this county.

Peta Credlin during The Duke of Edinburgh’s last visit to Australia. Picture: Supplied

That very fact he only retired from public service at the age of 96, typifies his wartime generation, the likes of whom we won’t see again. And that should have us all asking questions about why, in many respects, we seem to be losing more with time than what
we are gaining.

The Queen called him her mainstay and it’s clear theirs was a great love. It can’t have been easy for a proud and capable man to have lived in his wife’s shadow, but he did it cheerfully and with a full heart (and a little bit of irreverence that must have caused the courtiers consternation, but which we Australians loved).

The Commonwealth has lost a fine man but let’s never forget the family grieving their patriarch, and a woman the man she adored.

Watch Peta Credlin on Sky News, weeknights at 6pm

Originally published as Peta Credlin: Prince Philip’s life well-lived in service to others and his wife