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On July 10, 1947, Elizabeth of England and Philip Mountbatten were betrothed. Back on their legendary love story celebrating 70 years of marriage on November 20, 2017.

Born Prince of Greece and Denmark on June 10, 1921, Philip Mountbatten meets Princess Elisabeth , his first cousin, in 1939. He is then a young student officer of the Royal Navy 18, she, a young teenager 13 years old. It 's love at first sight .

In 1946, Philip asks the one called Lilibeth in marriage. And according to some rumors, Elizabeth, madly in love with his prince, would have accepted the request without even talking to his father, King George VI. And for good reason, stemming from an unstable family pattern, Prince Philip's fortune remains modest. His mother, diagnosed schizophrenic, having been placed in an asylum, and his father living in Monte Carlo, he grew up with his grandmother and uncle in Britain.

If this union displeases the family of Elizabeth, it is also not the taste of Philip's, his four sisters having married Nazi dignitaries. But no offense to their respective families, they get married on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey. Philip then becomes Duke of Edinburgh.

Despite a brilliant military career within the Royal Navy, the Duke is forced to leave his post on the death of King George VI. The coronation of Elizabeth being imminent, Philip must be by his side and follow her to England. On February 6, 1952, Elizabeth II was proclaimed Queen of England. Philip becomes Prince of the United Kingdom.

Philip, in the shadow of the queen

At this moment, Philip becomes also the personal adviser of Elizabeth II, and realizes that he will now have to live in the shadow of his wife. A difficult perspective for the one who has nothing of a man with erased character. He will sometimes try to bring his ideas, but will face the refusal of the queen mother, very conservative, who wishes that the reign of his daughter continues in line with that of King George VI.

From their union will be born Prince Charles in 1948, Princess Anne in 1950, Prince Andrew in 1960 and finally Prince Edward in 1964.

But failing to find his place, the Duke of Edinburgh withdraws from Buckingham Palace to mingle with people from his social condition. If Elizabeth agrees to leave space for her husband, she still fears the ravages of its legendary charm.

And this, rightly so. Since the connections of Prince Philip will be numerous. He is known for actress Pat Kirkwood, cousin Elizabeth II Alexandra Kent, actress Jane Russell, actress Shirley MacLaine or actress Zsa Zsa Gabor.

70 years of royal love

Despite the storms, Philip remains the only person in whom Elizabeth II has complete confidence. He remains his confidant, the one who listens and advises him. On the occasion of their golden wedding, in 1997, the queen said about him: "He was simply my strength during all these years and remains him, and me, and his whole family, and this country, and many other countries, we owe him more than he will ever say. "

A love that, even today, seems to be stronger than anything, since November 20, the royal couple will celebrate his wedding platinum, is his 70 years of marriage. "It's my rock, it was just my strength and my support" declared the queen again in 2011.