Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was married to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 74 years, making him the longest-serving consort in the history of the British monarchy. Over the last few months, the Prince has been the subject of countless jokes and memes, and his death on the 9th of April only incited more of the same. But under the layer of humour lies a deeper disdain for the deceased Duke. If you’ve been online in the weeks since his death, it has been impossible to ignore the influx of celebration and apathy for the British Royals, leading us to ask - why is he so disliked by both his people and the rest of the world?
His relationship with the Queen
Brought under scrutiny after his passing, many people expressed their disgust over the fact that he allegedly knew she was ‘the one for him’ when she was 13 years old to his 18, now invoking comments about pedophilia and grooming. Additionally, there’s also the fact that they are third cousins (both great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria).
2. His ‘sense of humour’
Brits are known for their quick wit but Prince Philip has made numerous comments over the years that have been sexist, racist, and downright rude. In 1984 he asked a Kenyan woman giving him a gift, “You are a woman, aren’t you?”. Four years later he was quoted saying "I don't think a prostitute is more moral than a wife, but they are doing the same thing.” In 2009 he met a female Sea Cadet who told him she worked at a nightclub and asked her: "Is it a strip club?"
He told the president of Nigeria, who was dressed in a traditional robe, that the president looked like he was, "ready for bed." Philip allegedly compared traditional Ethiopian art to "the kind of thing my daughter would bring back from school art lessons.” When visiting China, he told a British student: “If you stay here much longer, you will go home with slitty eyes.” In 1994, he asked residents of the Cayman Islands if most of them were "descended from pirates" and in 2002 he asked an aboriginal leader in Queensland: "Do you still throw spears at each other?” Put together, he comes off as arrogant and superior rather than funny and charming. Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, told CNN: "He was a throwback to old-school racism. Painting him as a benign, cuddly uncle of the nation is simply untrue.”
3. He was a symbol of the world’s most damaging dynasty
Controversial remarks aside, some people dislike the royal family as a whole rather than Prince Philip specifically. With each new generation, the people become more opposed to the monarchy. The British Empire has left a path of death, damage, and destruction in colossal quantities across the world, and many countries such as Ireland, India, Pakistan, and large parts of the Middle East still bear the scars of British imperialism. Phillip, with his proud military service and continuous display of imperial arrogance and superiority, makes it easy to understand their disdain for the British royals. Additionally, to anyone belonging to any of the cultures he has insulted, whether its native people, pacific islanders, the Chinese in particular, or people of colour in general, he represents the institutional power of wealthy, arrogant white racists everywhere.
4. His help in covering up Prince Andrew’s pedophilia and links to Jeffrey Epstein
Andrew’s close friendship with Jeffrey Epstein involved an alleged visit to his island, and charges of raping a minor. He was also seen in Epstein’s company after he had plead guilty to a felony charge of solicitation of prostitution involving a minor. Both the Queen and Philip have stood by, helped hide and refused to discuss their son’s disgusting (and illegal) actions, souring public perception further, as they continue to protect 'The Royal Pedophile.’
5. His portrayal on ‘The Crown’
On the hit Netflix show, Prince Philip is portrayed as an impolite husband, a whining womanizer, and even a potential Nazi. Although the show is factually inspired, it has been dramatised for the viewers, and it is unclear how much of it is true. What is clear is that it has influenced the public’s perception and likely impacted his image further, with people unable to differentiate between the show and real life.
With his death, people across the globe remain divided over the issue of his memory. Some see him as a man dedicated to his country and others as a figurehead of an archaic system that should be abolished. This is the legacy of the late Philip Mountbatten, and it's unlikely he will be remembered fondly by the generations to come.