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The Queen’s Secret to Overcoming Shyness and Finding Laughter: Prince Philip’s Role in Their Marriage
From the very beginning, Prince Philip's witty and sometimes risqué sense of humor has played a crucial role in his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II.
In the 1950s, when the young queen would freeze before TV cameras, Philip would always find a way to make her laugh, easing the tension and bringing a smile to her face.
This ability to make her laugh has been vital for the queen, who has lived her entire life under constant scrutiny.
Coming from a sheltered background, the queen was painfully shy in her 20s.
During her first Commonwealth tour of Australia in 1954, she often felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities of being queen.
However, with Philip by her side, she always felt capable of handling anything.
He had a knack for finding the humor in difficult situations, and he became the person she could confide in and talk to about their experiences.
With him, she didn't have to worry about saying the wrong thing or creating the wrong impression.
Philip's sense of humor, though occasionally leading to controversial remarks, is driven by his desire to make the queen laugh.
He understands that despite meeting countless strangers throughout her life, her conversational skills remain limited.
The only time she truly comes alive in conversation is when discussing her passion for racing or breeding thoroughbred horses.
In social situations, it is Philip who takes the lead, effortlessly mingling with others, making witty remarks, and putting on charm when necessary.
In contrast, the queen copes with her shyness by using what Philip calls her “dog mechanism.”
When faced with uncomfortable questions, she will distract herself by feeding her corgis under the table.
And when troubles become overwhelming, she retreats by going for walks with her dogs.
This coping mechanism mirrors her late mother's habit of playing card games to avoid addressing difficult situations.
It took Prince Andrew three weeks to finally break through the dogs and inform his mother about his troubled marriage.
