A former Buckingham Palace communications chief has revealed how Prince Philip's early vision for the internet helped shape the modern Royal Family's global presence.
Simon Lewis, who became the Palace's first communications secretary in 1998, said the late Duke of Edinburgh was years ahead of his time in recognising how the internet could transform the monarchy's relationship with the public.
Philip's Digital Vision
Speaking on The Royals podcast produced by The Times, Mr Lewis said Prince Philip outlined a bold digital strategy at a time when the internet was still in its infancy and only around 100 million people worldwide were online.
"I sat with him once, and he laid out for me a vision for using the web, the internet, to make the Royal Family much more accessible globally," Mr Lewis recalled.
Although Prince Philip had long been known for his interest in technology, Mr Lewis said many within the Palace initially dismissed the idea.
"A lot of people thought, 'It's another one of his ideas. We'll pop it in the bottom drawer,'" he said. "But he was right. Wow."
Transforming Royal Engagement
According to Mr Lewis, Prince Philip recognised that the internet could allow the Royal Family to communicate directly with people around the world rather than relying solely on traditional media.
He described the launch of the royal website as "the fundamental rebasing of the relationship" between the monarchy and the public.
The Royal Family's first official website launched in March 1997, shortly before Mr Lewis joined Buckingham Palace. His appointment came during a particularly sensitive period following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in August that year.
Queen's Leadership
Reflecting on the aftermath of Diana's death, Mr Lewis praised Queen Elizabeth II for guiding the monarchy through one of the most challenging moments in its modern history.
"The Queen, first of all, held her nerve on behalf of the institution, the family, and the Queen got out there and did what she always did best, which was just connecting with people in a very Queen-like way," he said.
Digital Reach Today
Mr Lewis said Prince Philip's digital vision has proved remarkably accurate. Today, more than six billion people use the internet, while the Royal Family's digital reach has grown dramatically.
According to the latest Royal Household annual report, official royal social media posts generated 2.1 billion impressions during 2025-26, up from 1.3 billion the previous year. Official videos published by the Royal Family were viewed 432 million times, compared with 397 million during the previous reporting period.
