Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married for 73 years before his death - here's a timeline of their epic romance

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Caroline Praderio,Erin McDowellApr 9, 2021, 23:00 IST
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married for 73 years before his death - here's a timeline of their epic romance

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married for 73 years, the longest marriage of any British royal couple.Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

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1934: Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip met when they were children, at a wedding.

1934: Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip met when they were children, at a wedding.
Elizabeth and Philip's official engagement photo. She was 21, he was 26. AP

The pair met for the first time when Princess Elizabeth was just 8 years old, and Philip was 13.

Philip was born into the Greek and Danish royal families and is a distant cousin of Elizabeth's. They both descend from the Victoria royal line.

1939: It's been said that Princess Elizabeth truly fell in love with Prince Philip when they met again a few years later.

1939: It's been said that Princess Elizabeth truly fell in love with Prince Philip when they met again a few years later.
The couple on their wedding day, November 20, 1947. AP

When Elizabeth was 13, the royal family made a visit to the Royal Naval College, where Philip was a cadet in training, according to the BBC. They met again and shortly began exchanging letters back and forth.

In the press, Philip was described favorably, as "a blond Greek Apollo," "a Viking," and "handsome as any film star," according to Town & Country.

It was announced that the two were engaged in 1947, shortly following Elizabeth's 21st birthday.

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1947: The wedding ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey.

1947: The wedding ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey.
Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day in 1947. AP

The wedding took place after World War II, which was reflected in the grandeur of the ceremony and celebrations.

The British government awarded Princess Elizabeth an extra 200 clothing coupons for her to purchase her wedding gown, and 2,500 guests attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

For the next few years, the couple lived in Malta, where Prince Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy.

For the next few years, the couple lived in Malta, where Prince Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy.
Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and a young Prince Charles. AP Photo

There, in 1949, they had their first son, Prince Charles, according to The Royal Family's website.

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1950: The pair welcomed their first and only daughter, Princess Anne.

1950: The pair welcomed their first and only daughter, Princess Anne.
Prince Charles and Princess Anne with their parents in 1951. AP

At the time of Princess Anne's birth, Princess Elizabeth was 24 years old and Prince Philip was 29.

1953: Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth, directly following her father's death.

1953: Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth, directly following her father's death.
Newly coronated Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave from the balcony at Buckingham Palace. AP/Leslie Priest

She was just 25 years old at the time of her crowning. At her coronation, Prince Philip offered her his undying loyalty, kneeling before her and pledging to be her "liegeman," or faithful servant.

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1960: Their third child, Prince Andrew, was born.

1960: Their third child, Prince Andrew, was born.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with their children. AP

You can see him in the photo above nestled in Prince Philip's lap.

1961: The queen and her husband visited and hosted countless world leaders, including President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

1961: The queen and her husband visited and hosted countless world leaders, including President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.
The Kennedys, the Queen, and Prince Philip in 1961. AP

During most royal engagements and tours, Prince Philip acted as the young Queen's constant companion and support system.

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1964: The couple welcomed their final child, Prince Edward, and broke with royal tradition.

1964: The couple welcomed their final child, Prince Edward, and broke with royal tradition.
The royal family in 1965. AP

It was the first birth that Prince Phillip had attended by his wife's side, and the first royal birth in modern history attended by the father of the child.

"The Duke of Edinburgh was actually holding his wife's hand as their youngest was born," royal biographer Ingrid Seward wrote in "My Husband and I: The Inside Story Of 70 Years Of Royal Marriage."

"The Queen, by then aged 37, had asked him to be there; she'd been keenly reading women's magazines that stressed the importance of involving fathers in childbirth and had become fascinated by the idea," she wrote. "Thus Philip became the first royal father in modern history to witness the arrival of one of his children."

1972: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

1972: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip celebrate their 25th silver wedding anniversary in 1972. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

"If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction, I am for it," Queen Elizabeth said at their anniversary celebration.

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1977: The Queen's reign reached its 25th milestone.

1977: The Queen's reign reached its 25th milestone.
The royal couple attends a service during celebrations for the Queen's silver jubilee in 1977. AP/Pool

Above, the royal couple attended a service during celebrations for the Queen's silver jubilee.

1980s: And as the years went by, they continued to execute royal duties side by side.

1980s: And as the years went by, they continued to execute royal duties side by side.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip address Parliament. AP

Here's the queen speaking to Parliament in 1986, with Philip on her left.

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1997: The pair has faced plenty of dark days, too, like the untimely death of their former daughter-in-law, Princess Diana.

1997: The pair has faced plenty of dark days, too, like the untimely death of their former daughter-in-law, Princess Diana.
The couple looks over a flower memorial for Princess Diana. AP/John Stillwell

The pair were photographed visiting a makeshift memorial for the beloved "people's princess" in 1997, shortly after her death. Prince Philip also supportively walked alongside his grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as Charles Spencer (her brother) and his son Prince Charles, as they followed the procession of Princess Diana's coffin.

Months later, as the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Queen Elizabeth described the Duke of Edinburgh as her "strength and stay all these years."

"I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know," she continued.

2002: Just a few years later, Queen Elizabeth lost her mother and only sister within the span of just two months.

2002: Just a few years later, Queen Elizabeth lost her mother and only sister within the span of just two months.
Queen Elizabeth wipes her eyes after her sister Princess Margaret's funeral in 2002. AP/Fiona Hanson

Through yet another heartbreak, Prince Philip was by her side.

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2002: But later that year, the whole kingdom celebrated her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years on the throne.

2002: But later that year, the whole kingdom celebrated her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years on the throne.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrate the Queen's Jubilee in 2002. AP/MJ Kim

Prince Philip appeared next to Queen Elizabeth to wave to well-wishers.

And even after all this time and travel together, the Queen and her husband still share sweet moments in public.

And even after all this time and travel together, the Queen and her husband still share sweet moments in public.
Prince Philip holds up an umbrella for his wife during her state visit to Malta. AP/Matt Dunham

During an official state visit to Malta, where the pair lived during the early years of their marriage, Prince Philip held up an umbrella for his wife.

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2007: They attended a service to commemorate their 60th wedding anniversary to much fanfare.

2007: They attended a service to commemorate their 60th wedding anniversary to much fanfare.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrating their 60th anniversary in 2007. AP/Shaun Curry

By then, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had reached another important milestone – they were the longest-married couple in the history of the royal family.

2011: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the wedding of their grandson, Prince William.

2011: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the wedding of their grandson, Prince William.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attend the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. AP/Pool

They smiled at each other during the marriage of their grandson, Prince William, to his wife Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge.

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2015: Even in their old age, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were publicly seen being sweet to each other.

2015: Even in their old age, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were publicly seen being sweet to each other.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attend the Highland Games in Scotland in 2015. AP/KGC-42/STAR MAX/IPx

They cozied up under the same blanket while watching the Highland Games in Scotland.

They made memories with their ever-expanding family - including adorable great-grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

They made memories with their ever-expanding family - including adorable great-grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The royal family in 2016. AP/Tim Ireland

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, two of which were named after Prince Philip.

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2017: The couple celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary.

2017: The couple celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary.
Two lovebirds after 70 years of marriage. The Royal Family/Facebook

"When we were married I don't think there was such a thing as a platinum anniversary, they didn't know we would be around that long," Queen Elizabeth said in her annual Christmas address.

2017: Prince Philip stepped down from his royal duties, at the age of 96.

2017: Prince Philip stepped down from his royal duties, at the age of 96.
Prince Philip in 2017. Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images

According to the New York Times, since Queen Elizabeth's ascension to the throne in 1952, Philip had taken part in 22,219 solo engagements, given 5,496 speeches, and written 14 books.

"Even Prince Philip has decided it's time to slow down a little — having, as he economically put it, 'done his bit'," the Queen said in a statement. "But I know his support and unique sense of humor will remain as strong as ever."

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2019: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's fourth grandchild, Archie, is born.

2019: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's fourth grandchild, Archie, is born.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor during a photocall on May 8, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen and Prince Philip met Archie alongside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on May 8, 2019, two days after he was born.

2020: They marked their 73rd wedding anniversary, which would inevitably be their final celebration.

2020: They marked their 73rd wedding anniversary, which would inevitably be their final celebration.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in January 2020. Steve Parsons/PA Images/Getty Images

"Thank you to everyone for your kind wishes for The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh on their 73rd Wedding Anniversary," their official Instagram account wrote.

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February 2021: Prince Philip was admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London in what the palace described as a "precautionary measure."

February 2021: Prince Philip was admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London in what the palace described as a "precautionary measure."
Prince Philip is photographed leaving the hospital on March 16. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images

On February 23, a representative for the Duke said in a statement that he was being treated for an infection and was "comfortable and responding to treatment."

Prince Philip was later transferred to St Bartholomew's Hospital, a specialist cardiovascular hospital in London, on March 1.

The palace said Philip underwent a "successful procedure" for a preexisting heart condition on March 3, and he returned to Windsor Castle on March 16.

February 2021: Prince Harry said in an interview with James Corden that he and Meghan had video chatted with the Queen and his grandfather "a few times."

February 2021: Prince Harry said in an interview with James Corden that he and Meghan had video chatted with the Queen and his grandfather "a few times."
James Corden and Prince Harry. The Late Late Show/CBS

Following the couple's exit from the royal family and subsequent move to the United States, there's been undeniable tension between the family members.

However, that doesn't seem to have affected Prince Harry or Meghan Markle's relationship with the Queen and Prince Philip.

Prince Harry said in his interview segment with James Corden on The Late Late Show on February 25 that he and Meghan had video chatted with the Queen and his grandfather "a few times" and that he'd seen "Archie running around."

He also jokingly noted that Prince Philip had a habit of slamming his laptop shut to end calls, rather than officially hanging up.

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March 2021: Things also appeared to be relatively friendly between the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle prior to the Oprah interview.

March 2021: Things also appeared to be relatively friendly between the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle prior to the Oprah interview.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in their Oprah interview (left) and Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. CBS/Steve Parsons/PA Images/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not reveal much in their bombshell Oprah interview in March 2021 about their relationship with Prince Philip, but they did speak about their positive rapport with the Queen.

"I've spoken more to my grandmother in the last year than I have done for many, many years," Harry said, while Markle said the Queen "has always been wonderful to me."

Following the interview, the palace released a statement that the Queen would be addressing issues brought up during the interview, especially allegations of racism against a senior member of the royal family, in private.

April 9, 2021: Prince Philip is dead at the age of 99.

April 9, 2021: Prince Philip is dead at the age of 99.
Prince Philip. Max Mumby/Getty Images

"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," the palace said in a statement obtained by Insider. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

Prince Philip was the longest-serving British consort in history.

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