Romantic details around the Queen and Prince Philip’s first meeting have resurfaced

'I think the Princess fell headlong in love with him at that moment’

'I think the Princess fell headlong in love with him at that moment’

This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of Prince Philip's death, with the Duke of Edinburgh sadly passing away on 9 April 2021.

A statement from Buckingham Palace announced the news at the time:

'It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

'His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

'The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.'

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's 73-year marriage was the longest in British royal history, and it was a sweet anecdote surrounding their first meeting that resurfaced and went viral this weekend.

National Geographic's documentary, Being the Queen, looked into the Queen’s private life and how it links with her public role, featuring a rare recording where Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip’s cousin, recalled the moment he met Queen Elizabeth.

According to reports, the Queen was then just a 13-year-old princess and Prince Philip was an 18-year-old cadet, with the two first crossing paths in Dartmouth in 1939, with King George VI, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret all present.

Referring to Prince Philip as ‘this absolute Greek god’, Lady Hicks recalled: 'I think the Princess fell headlong in love with him at that moment’.

Our thoughts remain with Her Majesty at this tragic time.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.