April 9, 2021 A romance for the ages…

Elizabeth stood in the front row and looked up at the smart young man in the naval uniform. He looked dashing, charming, and oh so handsome. Her stomach swirled inside; she had never felt this way before. He smiled at her and she melted, unable to look away she excitedly said yes when he asked her to join him in the garden for a walk.

Little did she know at the time he would be the one to walk with her through the garden of life.

Philip smiled down at the young girl. She was stunning and had a glow about her that was unmatched by any girls he had known to that point. He wondered if she would walk with him in the garden, he should very much like to get to know her better. Too bad she was so young, but that meant time was on his side.

At the time he never realized she would be the one to walk by his side until his final day.

Philip left Elizabeth that spring day and went off to war. Through letters and the occasional visit when he was on leave the two became closer as the war dragged on. Elizabeth bloomed from a shy awkward teenager to a confident princess.

“Father, I think I would very much like to marry Philip.” Elizabeth looked up at her father, waiting for his terse reply. Would he forbid her to marry someone not from Britain. Philip had no title but he was still from royalty. Her stomach did somersaults while she awaited his answer.

“Lord Mountbatten has made your case for you my dear. I think if you truly love him, I will give you my utmost support.” King George smiled at his young princess. At that moment he was not the king of England, he was merely a proud father giving his love. Something rare and beautiful occurred just then and the two embraced in celebration.

Philip walked down the hallway towards the antechamber in the distance. His stomach was doing cartwheels and he wiped the palm of his hand on his handkerchief. In his mind, he practiced all he would say. He was going to ask the King to marry his daughter. It felt so strange and his mind spun with the possibilities. Would the king say no, would he even speak to him? With a deep breath, he stood at the door. With a slight bow, the doorman opened up the tall wooden door and turned to announce him.

“Your highness, Philip, Prince of Greece and Denmark.” The courtier announced the nervous young man and ushered him into the king’s presence.

Philip bowed deeply and breathed calmly willing himself to stay focused. In the flash of a second he had a vision of turning around and running as fast and as far as he could. He breathed again and looked up into the eyes of the most powerful man in all the British Empire. This was it, his moment of truth.

“Your highness, I am here to ask for your permission to marry Elizabeth.” There it was done, he said the words and held his breath.

“Ah yes, Philip isn’t it?” The king wryly looked toward the young naval officer. “You would like to marry my daughter, would you? I will ask you three questions and then you shall have my answer.”

“The question is, do you know what it will be like living in the shadow of a queen? Are you prepared to support her no matter what and most importantly, do you love her?” The faintest of smiles creased the king’s lips as he awaited a reply.

“My liege I am very much aware of the duties that shall befall me as royal consort. I will do whatever it takes to help her succeed. And I very much love her with all my heart.” The young man gained strength with every word and he felt the truth of it stronger than ever before.

“Then my son we shall welcome you to the family with open arms.” A broad smile graced the lips of King George VI. “But my daughter shall not marry a common rogue whose family is no more. You shall become the Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, in addition, you shall be Baron of Greenwich. I think that should be enough titles to dissuade the critics. And one more thing, you must wait until she is twenty-one years of age.”

With that, the king gave him a look that said he was dismissed and Philip turned to leave. He smiled broadly and walked from the room. He winked at the courtier holding the door and sauntered down the hall. His step was lighter and his chest burst with joy and pride. He was going to marry the love of his life, it was a dream come true.

Elizabeth stood glowing as she readied herself for the walk down the aisle. Her train hung heavy on her back, weighed down by 10,000 pearls and a world of expectations. She barely felt the weight of it though as she knew she would have Philip to help her bear the load.

She just needed to make it down the aisle without faltering. Millions would be listening to the radio broadcast and she wanted to make a good first impression. She was young and the world was hers to embrace, now that she had him to share it with all would be grand. He stood there looking at her and she felt the warm love of his gaze. She walked towards him prepared to spend eternity at his side.

Philip heard the news with shock; he sat down and caught his breath. How would he tell her? Did she already know? Her father was gone… They were in Kenya, on a grand tour of the commonwealth, the trip had been so much fun.

Now the fun was over.

She stood there looking out the door at the clear blue sky. She was the vision of beauty to him, no longer an innocent princess traveling the world. She was suddenly the Queen of all the realm.

“Liz, I think you should sit down my love. I have some news.” Gently he took her hand and started guiding her toward the chesterfield.

“What is it, Philip? Has something happened? I think I will stand.” Elizabeth looked into his eyes, searching for what lay beneath. In that second she felt his grief and knew what he would say.

“Your father, our king has passed away peacefully in his sleep.” He held her hand and reached to pull her close.

“I see…” a single tear pierced her eye and slid down her cheek as if accepting this unexpected news. She leaned in close and welcomed his embrace. “Oh Philip it is so sudden, I, I, I…” she shuddered and took a deep breath, she let him hold her and take away her pain.

Nothing more could be said. They both knew what this moment meant. The days of freedom and travel were at an end. Now it would be time for great responsibility.

It was time to go home.

At twenty-five years old many questioned if the young princess was ready to assume the mantle of Queen of the Commonwealth. She never wavered and never feared. She knew she would be fine. Philip was at her side and he would help her carry the weight of worldly expectations. She felt his quiet confidence and it buoyed her through the darkest times.

Philip starred over at his queen, his love, his Elizabeth. He knew he was not long for this world. He smiled at her and remembered younger days; days when they would walk quietly in the garden.

“This last year has been tough for us all my love. I wish I could continue on and help you carry the load some more. Alas my Liz I feel my energy draining away from me. I am no longer the man I once was.” Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, consort to a queen, best friend, and love of Elizabeth II Queen of Great Britain, felt his lifeblood slowly flowing away.

“You are more than the man you once were my love. You are the man who has been there for me and you are a greater man than any one woman should hope to be with.” A single tear escaped her eye and she felt a sob erupt from her chest. “I wish you could stay with me forever dear Philip, But we both know we can’t have every wish.” She held his hands in hers, prolonging the moment, trying to stop the inevitable passage of time. “I will see you in only a little while. Rest my love, rest.”

She held on tightly and felt his grasp loosen, his shallow breath slowly weakened. His eyes closed she leaned in close as he uttered his last words, ”goodbye my love.” With that, his last breath escaped his chest and she sat there feeling his spirit lift away.

It had been an amazing life, he was out of pain now and was in a better place. How much longer did she want to remain in this world without him… She shuddered and sobbed deeply, she would be alone, but he was free.

Their tale of love and longevity lasted seventy-three years. Nothing in life is ever perfect and the marriage of Philip and Elizabeth could not claim such lofty goals. But it was strong and deep, now it was no more. It was as close as she could expect to come to happily ever after.

She sat in her grief and thought about that young couple walking in the garden so long ago. With a smile and a tear she turned and walked into her garden once more. Alone, yet she felt him right there where he had always been.

Right by her side.

As a joke, he dressed up as a palace guard just to mess with her.