Originally Posted by JoeBob
Originally Posted by saddlegun
Originally Posted by CCCC
The man had no choice about his lineage and circumstances of birth. He studied and learned, took responsibility, served well in the armed forces of his country during deadly wartime, courted and married a girl he apparently loved very much, and for more than 70 years performed loyally as a husband and in the very public supporting role. Which part should one not like? May the good man rest in peace. I feel sorry for his wife.


I'm supposed to respect this man because he married someone for a lucrative income?

- He had plenty of other choices. He just took the easy one.
- Studied and learned? So what? Why does that merit anyone's respect for living off the public dole?
- Took responsibility? For what?
- Served in the Armed Forces? All Royals do that. Only a few actually place themselves at risk. He never did. His role was symbolic.
- Married a girl he loved? One who just happened to come with a life of luxury and a huge income for very little effort.
- Performed for 70 years as a husband and public figure? I agree that it was a performance, and he was an actor, who was paid "royally" for his role.

Like all Royals, he accomplished nothing more than to be part of an anachronism that served as a tradition and a tourist attraction. It did bring in a lot of money for England though, so he earned his acting stipend I suppose.


You don’t much about him. His grandfather was First Lord of the Admiralty. The British Navy was a family tradition. He served in the British Navy well before his relationship with Elizabeth and in combat in the Mediterranean and the Pacific. He was mentioned in dispatches for personal bravery and he is generally regarded as saving his ship in the invasion of Sicily.

Whatever else he was or wasn’t, he was generally a man’s man.

Well said. Here's a good interview that covers some of his war service, particularly in the pacific

A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”