Prince Philip’s Tender Hobby: Creating Gifts for the Late Queen
Prince Philip, known for his no-nonsense attitude and physical strength from his time in the Royal Navy, also had a softer side which he expressed through his artistic hobby. Behind closed doors, the Duke of Edinburgh enjoyed creating beautiful gifts for his wife, the late Queen Elizabeth, on special occasions by designing jewellery.
According to British Vogue, Philip crafted a brooch for the Queen early in their relationship, inspired by his naval badge as a sentimental tribute to their shared experiences. He also repurposed a tiara belonging to his mother to create an engagement ring for Princess Elizabeth. On their wedding day, he gifted her a stunning bracelet made from the remaining tiara diamonds, a piece she cherished and wore throughout her life. Recently, reports suggest that Princess Kate has even been seen borrowing this special bracelet.
For their fifth wedding anniversary, Philip poured his heart into a deeply symbolic piece for the Queen, featuring representations of their shared history and individual lives. The bracelet included Philip’s Naval badge in diamonds, two sapphire crosses potentially representing the Greek flag, a ruby cross perhaps symbolising the flag of England, and roses of York symbolising the Queen’s first title as Princess Elizabeth of York, all connected by gold links shaped as interlocking Es and Ps.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s artistic talents extended far beyond jewellery design; he also expressed his love through painting. Philip was deeply invested in the arts, establishing awards for designers during his time as Prince Consort. He famously painted an intimate portrait of the Queen eating breakfast, among many other artworks held by the Royal Collection Trust.
Ultimately, this artistic side was Philip’s way of showing his profound love for his wife, as he once wrote to the Queen Mother, highlighting his deep connection with Princess Elizabeth. Despite his tough exterior and sporting pursuits, Prince Philip’s gentle hobby of creating gifts revealed a tender and romantic aspect of his personality which endeared him to the late Queen and continues to resonate through his legacy in the royal family.