No One Holds a Grudge Like Prince Philip
Prince Philip is the most popular royal among palace staffers. While he may be a “man of the people,” the Duke of Edinburgh is also known for his toughness and doesn’t put up with nonsense. A few of his family members have felt his wrath over their inability to keep it together and stay out of the headlines.
Here’s more on some of the royal family patriarch’s feuds and the grudge he’s held for decades.
Prince Philip’s icy relationship with Prince Charles
One of Philip’s most strained relationships has been with his oldest son, Prince Charles, as they are polar opposites.
“Prince Philip is bluff, outspoken, hearty, tough, and something of a bully,” royal author Penny Junor wrote in the book Diana: Story of a Princess. “He has no patience with his eldest son’s soul-searching. Sensitivity is not one of the qualities he expects in a man.” Junor added that Philip “has spent a lifetime criticizing [Charles] and quietly undermining his self-esteem.”
Growing up, the Prince of Wales lacked skills in the sports department. To his father’s dismay, it was determined pretty early on that the future king was no great athlete so the pair clashed over why Charles didn’t excel in certain activities.
Philip was also reportedly upset with Charles when he decided to leave Princess Diana for Camilla Parker Bowles and even sided with the princess over his son.
Years later, Philip offered his take about why he and the heir apparent don’t have a great relationship telling the Daily Telegraph: “Charles is a romantic — and I’m a pragmatist. That means we do see things differently. And because I don’t see things as a romantic would, I’m unfeeling.”
Prince Philip unhappy with Harry and Meghan for stepping down
Something more recent that reportedly set the duke off is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s choice to step down as senior royals and leave The Firm.
The Daily Mail reported that upon hearing Meghan and Harry’s plans Philip was angry and shouted, “What the hell are they playing?”
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told Vanity Fair that “Philip simply cannot understand how Harry has behaved the way he has… [Philip] quite liked Meghan at first, but their actions have left a bad taste and as a consequence, the relationship with Harry has suffered.”
Philip’s decades-long feud with Sarah Ferguson
Philip’s most publicized feud is with his former daughter-in-law Sarah, Duchess of York.
Philip’s grudge against Fergie goes back decades. In 1992, when she was still married to Prince Andrew, she was photographed sunbathing topless and getting her toes sucked by another man while vacationing in St. Tropez. On the morning the pictures were published the duchess was staying at the Balmoral estate with her in-laws and they came across the photos during breakfast.
The Duke and Duchess of York ended up divorcing four years later, however, they have always maintained a close relationship. Philip though never forgave Sarah. To this day he reportedly still harbors ill feelings toward her for the damage he believes she caused to his family’s reputation and the unwanted tabloid attention she brought.
