Prince Philip and His British Citizenship
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, holds a unique position in the British Royal Family. Born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, he went on to acquire British citizenship but not through naturalization.
Background
Prince Philip was born on June 10, 1921, on the Greek island of Corfu. His father, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, was a prince of Greek and Danish origin, while his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, had German and British ancestry.
At the time of his birth, Prince Philip was a prince of both Greece and Denmark. However, due to political turmoil in Greece, his family was forced into exile when he was just a baby. Thus, his early years were spent outside of Britain.
Education and Military Service
Prince Philip received his education in various countries, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. He attended schools in France and Germany before being sent to the United Kingdom to study at the prestigious Gordonstoun School in Scotland.
During World War II, Prince Philip served in the British Royal Navy. He joined the Navy in 1939 and saw active duty in the Mediterranean and the Pacific. His military service played a significant role in his later connection and integration into British society.
Becoming a British Citizen
Prince Philip's path to British citizenship was not through naturalization. As a member of the Greek and Danish royal families, he already held multiple nationalities. However, in order to marry then-Princess Elizabeth and renounce his Greek and Danish royal titles, Prince Philip faced the need to become a British subject.
On November 28, 1947, before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip officially became a naturalized British subject. By taking this step, he renounced his Greek and Danish royal titles and adopted the surname Mountbatten, derived from his maternal grandparents' name.
Suspension of Titles
In addition to acquiring British citizenship, Prince Philip was bestowed with the titles His Royal Highness, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich, by King George VI before his wedding. However, after marrying Princess Elizabeth, he had to suspend these titles and styles due to the unwritten rule that bars British princesses' husbands from receiving princely titles.
Interestingly, Prince Philip was eventually granted the title of Prince of the United Kingdom, but this happened many years later through a Letters Patent issued by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957.
Frequently Asked Question
Is Prince Philip considered a British citizen today?
Yes, Prince Philip is considered a British citizen. He acquired his British citizenship through naturalization before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth in 1947. It is important to note that his role as a member of the British Royal Family is not solely dependent on his citizenship, as he holds unique titles and positions within the monarchy.