Philip: The Final Portrait: Elizabeth, Their Marriage and Their Dynasty

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I grew up seeing Prince Philip on TV, magazines, walking a step behind the Queen, looking dashing in his uniform or his suit and with a twinkle in his eye that always made me smile. It wasn't until I got a little (a lot) older, that I found myself more curious about HMTQ and Prince Philip, so I started researching and reading bits and pieces here and there, but never quite having the full picture of the man and his life. The only complaint that I may have is that sometimes Brandreth seems to repetitively mention his relationship with Philip, so much so that it goes beyond proving his ethos and feels like he’s bragging. Frankly, one mention of a lunch with Philip is enough, but do we really need to be reminded every time he talks about something he learns from Philip that it was from a “meal”, “conversation”, or “party”? Like, dude, we get it. You and Philip are close. These periodic bragging bits sometimes take me out of being immersed in Philip’s story, because it becomes about Gyles instead, and we did not read this book to read about Gyles. No offense.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II were actually distant cousins who both descended from Queen Victoria. In fact, his mother Princess Alice of Battenberg was born in Windsor Castle. His childhood was very disrupted when the Greek royal family had to go into exile. His parents separated and he spent his later childhood essentially without a permanent home, either boarding at schools or staying with various royal family relatives. However, Philip brushed off any idea that he suffered from this chaotic home life, sporting the "getting on with it" attitude towards life. He had no permanent home until he married Princess Elizabeth in 1947. And as Queen Elizabeth herself has said, Philip was her "strength and stay" supporting her and the British Crown in all the decades since. His list of patronages and awards of recognition is huge. The books reads so smoothly and almost flawlessly that it makes you have a hard time putting it down, you are carried away following his life story (and this century's history) in a very engaging and natural way. This is no pro monarchy eulogy for those who may have doubts, this is a well written, respectful and at times profoundly endearing tribute to a man who certainly left his mark in this world, and whose presence I suspect the author misses very much.It is a beautifully written book about a unique and extraordinary man who was the longest-serving consort to the longest reigning monarch in British history. I have read many other books about Philip but this is the best.' - DAILY EXPRESS I listened to this book on audiobook, but unfortunately Goodreads has decided to prevent people from adding such new editions (without an extended review process, it seems), which has me questioning whether I want to continue with Goodreads. Philip and Elizabeth were both royal by birth, both great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria, but, in temperament and upbringing, they were two very different people. The Queen’s childhood was loving and secure, the Duke’s was turbulent: his grandfather assassinated, his father arrested, his family exiled, his parents separated when he was only ten. Elizabeth and Philip met as cousins in the 1930s. They married in 1947, aged twenty-one and twenty-six. PS: For those of you thinking I'm pro-monarchy , truth is he reminded so very much of my own beloved grandfather....Rest In Peace.

What comes accross here quite clearly is the respect and the admiration that exist - mutual I would dare say, since I doubt Prince Philip would waist his time if he didn't think Mr. Brandreth was worth it. This was a very well-written book that had the "royal seal of approval", but the author didn't pull any punches when speculating on Philip's supposed affairs. He discussed these rumors in-depth, naming names and scenarios- but ultimately came to the conclusion that they were much ado about nothing. His rational for the aura of sexuality around the very handsome Philip was being the only son amongst several sisters, was celebrated and doted upon. He carried this confidence around women forward into his adult life, and was devastatingly handsome. Philip: The Final Portrait tells the story of two contrasting lives, assesses the Duke of Edinburgh's character and achievement, and explores the nature of his relationships with his wife, his children and their families - and with the press and public and those at court who were suspicious of him in the early days. This is a powerful, revealing and, ultimately, moving account of a long life and a remarkable royal partnership. Philip: The Final Portrait is a 2021 book written by English writer and former politician Gyles Brandreth on the life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. It also focuses on his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II, and his relationships with his family, friends, and the media.

The corridor depicted in the painting leads to the room where Philip's mother and grandmother were born

I started this book sometime ago and due to other reading pressures it was put to one side, my idea was that due to the nature of it being factual and not a fiction read that I would dip in and out of. Sadly, that plan didn't happen either as it's taken me over a year to finish. This is the story of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh – the longest-serving consort to the longest-reigning sovereign in British history. It is an extraordinary story, told with unique insight and authority by an author who knew the prince for more than forty years.

Coronet said of Philip: The Final Portrait: "Building upon Gyles Brandreth’s acclaimed 2004 book Philip and Elizabeth, Portrait of a Marriage [Century], this extraordinary account is fully revised, presenting new information about the last 20years alongside previously unpublished royal correspondence. Written with unique insight and authority by an author who knew the prince for more than 40 years, it is testament to an enduring friendship." The history is interspersed with conversations with Prince Philip, where he corrects facts or just plain tells the author he is wrong. Knowing this was going to be a book, the Duke of Edinburgh does not offer any revelations or say anything unexpected. He’s simply there to make sure the author gets it right.

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How do you tell the story of a man like Prince Philip who lived through some remarkable social, economic, political and cultural changes without sounding like one of two types? Brandreth also indicated early on that he would spend the bulk of the book discussing the “army years”, on the premise that “what people are is a reflection of where they came from.” In the final analysis I thought this was far more interesting and enjoyable to read than a strictly chronological review of his life in each of his 10 decades. Speaking of the book, the author said "[…] it was a great privilege to know the Duke over so many years and remarkable to be given special access and help in writing his life story." [2]

A stately, respectful and joyful tribute. It is an extraordinary story, told with unique insight and authority by an author who knew him for more than 40 years.’ – EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS Coronet will publish Philip: The Final PortraitbyGyles Brandreththis month, a fully revised and updated version of an earlier royal biography by theauthor and broadcaster. My other two complaints about this narrative is that the author compares environmentally friendly Phillip to Greta Thunberg (vomit), and in the second to the last paragraph, the author categorizes President Trump with Vladimir Putin, suggesting that it was a huge mind blower that President Trump expressed his condolences to the Queen after Phillip's death (also suggesting that he is a dictator). The author wrote, "Within hours fulsome tributes to the Duke and heartfelt condolences to the Queen were pouring in from across the world. Even Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin sent messages." What a disgraceful bit of verse. Clearly this author is yet another Trump hater due to grandiose jealousy. Oy! Gyles Brandreth is a writer, performer, former MP and government whip whose career has ranged from hosting Have I Got News For You to starring in his own award-winning musical revue in London's West End. Currently a reporter with The One Show on BBC1 and a regular on Radio 4's Just a Minute, his acclaimed Victorian detective stories -THE OSCAR WILDE MURDER MYSTERIES - are now being published in nineteen countries around the world and are currently in development for TV. All six books in the series, OSCAR WILDE AND THE CANDLELIGHT MURDERS, OSCAR WILDE AND THE RING OF DEATH, OSCAR WILDE AND THE DEAD MAN'S SMILE, OSCAR WILDE AND THE NEST OF VIPERS, OSCAR WILDE AND THE VATICAN MURDERS and OSCAR WILDE AND THE MURDERS AT READING GAOL are available from John Murray. You can find out more about the Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries at www.oscarwildemurdermysteries.com and at www.johnmurray.co.uk and about Gyles Brandreth at www.gylesbrandreth.net. Prince Philip never commented on the Netflix series 'The Crown', but this personal and revelatory book tells his side of the story: truly, it is the final portrait."I do feel that Brandreth makes convincing arguments that Prince Philip worked hard through his life, was truly supportive to Queen Elizabeth, and they were a well-suited married pair. I have felt many times he was given a very "bad press," so I was happy to see that Brandreth was not afraid to cover the many gaffs and "scandalous behaviours." I suspected that the media made far too much over small signs, and created BS out of whole cloth, and Prince Philip and I entirely agree in principle about the effect of Rupert Murdoch has had on the world. I can only imagine the amount of research the author Mr. Brandreth must have done, as well as the incredible amount of time he spent working on this book. Mr. Brandreth knew Prince Philip for many years, and this is so clear throughout this biography. Providing both insights and depth into Prince Philip’s public and private life, this book spans many decades with a plethora of information. The author does a phenomenal job of discussing and detailing many aspects of European history, and weaves them in throughout the book telling Philip’s specific story. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile. A warm, affectionate portrait of the much-missed Duke ... a rich source of insights and anecdotes.' - SAGA MAGAZINE