The late Duke of Edinburgh was renowned for being blunt, outspoken and direct, often speaking his mind without mincing his words. He also didn't hold back in his assessments of family members, particularly on his impressions of those set to marry into the Firm. This included when the Corfu-born Duke met his future daughter-in-law, Catherine, now the Princess of Wales.
Philip's verdict on Catherine
According to the late Duke of Edinburgh's biographer and friend, Gyles Brandreth, he was "relieved" when Catherine came into his grandson William's life as a "potential bride," and he shared his brief verdict. "The Duke of Edinburgh was, he told me, 'relieved to find her such a level-headed girl', Mr Brandreth claimed in Philip: The Final Portrait.
This was high praise from the late Queen's husband, especially as he had become known for his ruthless assessments of other royals' partners, including the late Diana, Princess of Wales, whom he had apparently been "worried" about how she would react to popularity.
A moral compass for the monarchy
The Duke of Edinburgh's opinion carried immense weight, with royal expert Russell Myers writing in William & Catherine that Philip's acceptance of newcomers served as a "moral compass" for the entire monarchy. However, Philip still "warned" William against rushing his proposal. Having watched three of his own children go through divorce, he urged his grandson to take his time to be entirely sure.
The advice paid off when the pair wed in 2011, leading to a close bond between Catherine and her grandfather-in-law until his death at the age of 99 in April 2021. One former aide even recalled Philip fondly declaring Catherine was "the best thing to happen to the Royal Family since he came along".
Advice on fame and a contrast with Meghan
Philip also passed down a vital piece of advice on handling fame, according to royal biographer Gyles Brandreth: "If you believe the attention is for you personally, you're going to end up in trouble. The attention is for your role... You are not a celebrity."
In stark contrast to Catherine, Philip was deeply sceptical of Meghan Markle from the start. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed the Duke privately dubbed her "D.O.W." - comparing her to the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, who sparked the 1930s abdication crisis. He even warned Prince Harry against marrying an actress, famously declaring: "One steps out with actresses, one doesn't marry them".
His unfiltered frustration peaked at their 2018 wedding with a brutal four-word takedown. Ex-royal butler Grant Harrold claimed in The Royal Butler that as Philip left St George's Chapel, he muttered to the Queen: "Thank f*** that's over." Mr Harrold noted the 96-year-old was simply saying out loud what many were already thinking.
