AUSTRALIA owes much to the late Prince Philip, who was born about a hundred years ago on a dining room table in Corfu, prior to being smuggled out of Greece in a fruit crate.
His parents were dysfunctional, his family had to live in exile, they had no money and, practicably speaking, he became an orphan at a young age after his mother was scheduled and his father (who was a poor type) basically abandoned him and eloped with a series of mistresses.
- Philip simply got on with it and utilised his ace cards.
- He didn’t dwell on himself, his instincts were to advance the interests of others.
- The Prince’s practicality evoked his conservative instincts.
He did not seek counselling, and unlike his spoilt, pathetic grandson Harry he did not lament his plight.
He simply got on with it, and utilised his ace cards. He had presence, he was athletic, tall, great looking and a born leader who had much ability and an incisive brain.
EXCLUSION
Above all he didn’t dwell on himself, as his focus and instincts were to advance the interests of others to the exclusion of self.
World War II put him in harm’s way and, as a meaningful young naval contributor, he was mentioned in despatches.
His ambitious uncle contrived for him to meet the soon-to-be Queen, who recognising him for what he was, sensibly married him.
They were a fine-looking couple and a great duo for about 74 years, also bound by selfless service, public duty and his humour.
He loved the navy, and in the normal course of events he might have headed it on merit.
But that was not to be. Lung cancer brought on by the stress of war killed the then King quite early, so his wife had to ascend – and he had to walk two steps behind.
What to do then, and how to help, after he and his naval career had been neutered!
He started the Duke of Edinburgh outward bound and award schemes, in which almost 800,000 Australians participated over time.
USEFUL
There are no ready means to quantify how many participants consequently became successes instead of failures.
The scheme’s “GDP” should be measured by how many people became useful citizens instead of going to jail, the resulting crime and social security bill reductions, and how many families were kept together instead of falling apart!
Roughly about another 7m people from 144 countries participated in the scheme, greatly magnifying its above recounted overall effect.
Political correctness was not his forte, he said what he thought and he loathed being lauded.
Former PM Tony Abbott, who is a like enthusiast for good works and raising monies for charity, was anxious to recognise his contribution and awarded him a knighthood without properly explaining his accompanying reasoning.
In fact Prince Philip, who loved Australia, may have preferred for Mr Abbott to have passed on the knighthood, kept his job, and so not inadvertently inflicted his scheming but hapless successor upon us.
The Prince’s practicality evoked his conservative instincts.
GENEROSITY
Philip was, in fact, a very kind and considerate man, as evidenced by his innumerable acts of generosity to people who really needed help.
A touching episode was recently recounted when he arrived at the White House in 1963 before JFK’s funeral, and played with and looked after the President’s young son.
He visited us here in Australia many times and achieved a lot for us. Meaningful republicans respected him and his contribution.
In contrast, his woke detractors (Q&A, Louise Milligan et al) could never hold a candle to him.
He was one of our finest, we honour him, and we miss him.RIP
Harry thinks he’s the only person ever to have experienced a hard time. No Harry. Most of us have suffered terrible hardship, but without the unequalled financial comfort you pretend you don’t enjoy.
You, sir, are a lying, hypocritical snob.