Moments after Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953, she sat on her throne in Westminster Abbey to receive the homage of princes and peers.
But the first person to pay allegiance to the monarch was the man she had married in virtually the same spot five-and-a-half years earlier – Prince Philip. “I, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, do become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship,” he said solemnly. “And faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die, against all manner of folks.
So help me God.” Then Philip rose and kissed his Lilibet on the cheek, before waiting to escort his Queen from the Abbey. “That little scene sums up their unique relationship,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe. “Philip was Elizabeth’s first and only love.
But, from the moment she became Queen, he was also her consort and his life was dedicated to supporting her as she bore the weight of the Crown.” It wasn’t all plain-sailing, though.
Read more on ok.co.uk