Prince Philip: Expert compares William and Harry’s statements

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William and Kate’s 10-year wedding anniversary is coming up this month, and it will be the first one they celebrate after having lost Philip, who died last week aged 99. The Duke of Edinburgh strongly suggested his grandson should join the Royal Navy when he graduated university, because he had loved his time in the Navy and felt that a naval career was “fitting” for a future King. However, the Duke of Cambridge “stood his ground” against his orders and instead chose to train as an Army Officer as Sandhurst.

William was not keen on the long time spent at sea, which he worried would hurt his relationship with Kate, who he had met at St Andrews University.

In fact, sending Prince Charles away with the Navy was exactly what had severed his relationship with Camilla Shand – now the Duchess of Cornwall – and long periods at sea had also been a major factor in the break-down of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s marriage.

Fergie recalled what it was like being left alone to Harper’s Bazaar in 2007, saying: “Two weeks after the wedding, the courtiers told Andrew, who thought he’d be stationed in London, ‘You have to go to sea.’

“I spent my entire first pregnancy alone; when Beatrice was born, Andrew got 10 days of shore leave, and when he left and I cried, they all said: ‘Grow up and get a grip.’”

William putting Kate first meant forging a different path to that of his father Prince Charles, grandfather Prince Philip and indeed his uncle Andrew.

Veteran royal editor Robert Jobson wrote about this decision in his book William’s Princess’, which examines the Duke of Cambridge and Kate’s early relationship.

He wrote: “For where Charles bowed to his father and great-uncle Louis Mountbatten’s desire for him to enter the Royal Navy, a less than subtle strategy to separate him from the inappropriate Camilla, William has done nothing of the sort.

“It was strongly suggested to him by his grandfather Prince Philip that he ought to go into the Royal Navy.

“He was told it would be a fitting choice for a future King.

“William, showing his strength of character and determination not to be bullied from his path, has cleverly avoided this.

“The prospect of months at sea was not one that inspired him.

“Instead, he chose to train at Sandhurst, the elite military academy.

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“It was a decision that led many royal writers to point light-heartedly to the potential embarrassment of William having to salute his younger brother as his superior.

“It was a minimal price for William, and one well worth paying if it meant remaining on the same soil as Kate.

“As a member of the Royal Navy, there would be no contact for months on end.”

Princess Diana’s former private secretary Patrick Jephson, who was also a Royal Navy Commander in his time, claimed Philip had actually intended to keep William away from romantic entanglements.

Kate Garraway discusses Prince William’s tribute to Prince Philip

He asserted that Philip was a “pragmatist” and knew that young men could get “attached too soon”.

He said: “That is precisely why the Duke of Edinburgh was suggesting it. He is a pragmatist.

“He knows that young men can grow attached too soon and it would give them the perfect excuse to get William away, as far as possible if it was felt such a course was needed.”

Indeed, he intended on using the same trick on William as Lord Mountbatten had with Charles.

Mr Jobson added: “But it was not a view shared by William himself; he stood his ground and won.

“As a trainee officer in Sandhurst, he could invite Kate to dinners and balls and, when William was allowed to leave barracks, the couple could enjoy time together.”

Prince William enjoyed a career in the Armed Forces until 2013, when he left to dedicate himself to royal duties and raising his family.

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