Prince Philip retired from royal duties in 2017, after more than six decades of service. He now is rarely seen out and about, only at the occasional royal wedding or extra special event. In June Philip will celebrate his 98th birthday, so here are some facts about the Duke of Edinburgh not many people know.

1. He was born on his family’s kitchen table

On June 10, 1921, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg welcomed their son on a kitchen table in Corfu at Villa Mon Repos (the Greek royals’ summer home).

Philip was Prince Andrew and Princess Alice’s fifth child and first son.

They had four daughters, Margarita, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Theodora, Margravine of Baden, Cecilie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Hesse and Sophie, Princess George of Hanover.

Read More: Queen Elizabeth: Royal Family has a secret code

2. Philip first met Queen Elizabeth II when she was just eight-years-old

Philip first met the Queen when he was 14 and she was eight, at a family wedding.

The Prince’s cousin, Princess Marina of Greece was marrying the Duke of Kent, in 1934.

Philip and Elizabeth are fourth cousins and are great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria.

Read More Prince Philip: Duke of Edinburgh has a very unusual demand

3. He decides what he and his guests discuss at dinner parties

According to royal author Brian Hoey, the Duke always decides what guests talk about at private dinner parties.

In his book Not in Front of the Corgis, he writes: “When Prince Philip gives a private dinner, he likes to decide the subject for conversation.

“One lady was dismayed to find she was expected to contribute on the subject of ‘deciduous trees,’ about which she knew absolutely nothing.”

“If guests are not quite as knowledgeable as they should be, the Prince can become very touchy – but if someone is more expert than him it can just as easily ruin the occasion.

But Mr Hoey explains how to impress the Duke: “Apparently the secret is to contact his office beforehand and find out his pet topics of the moment and learn just enough to be able to contribute intelligently, but not to upstage the host. Otherwise, he can become ‘less than pleasant’.”

4. Philip was evacuated from Greece as a child

Aged just 18 months, Philip had to be evacuated from Greece on a Royal Navy ship.

He was carried in a makeshift cot made from an orange box after King Constantine I was forced to abdicate.

King Constantine abdicated in 1922 when Greece lost the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922.

Read More: Lady Gabriella releases wedding pictures – Queen BEAMS with Philip

5. Philip was the first Royal Family member to be interviewed on TV

Philip sat down in front of cameras for an interview on May 29, 1961 for what was the first time a Royal Family member had been interviewed on TV.

Richard Dimbleby interviewed the prince and in the interview, he discussed Commonwealth Technical Training Week, as an advocate for creating more skilled workers for the labour force across the country.

6. He fought in World War 2 and was commended for his bravery

The Duke was mentioned in dispatches for bravery during the Second World War.

He manned the HMS Valiant’s searchlights during the 1941 Battle of Matapan against the Italian Navy aged just 19.

He was awarded the Greek War Cross of Honour for his efforts.

Source: Read Full Article