The outspoken royal got a taste of his own medicine after his awards project was compared to Nazi Germany’s Hitler Youth program, where boys and girls were brainwashed into supporting the Third Reich. A royal expert saw this comment as highlighting the “German xenophobia” which existed at the time. She continued by saying how Prince Philip was often blocked out of conversations and interactions through fairly overt means.
Professor Kate Williams, a royal historian and author, spoke on Channel 5’s “Before They Were Royals” and recounts an interaction Prince Philip had and said: “A politician says to him, this (Duke of Edinburgh’s Award) sounds like the Hitler youth.
“What a thing to say, it really brings home the anti-German xenophobia there was in Britain at the time and the fact was that Phillip fought so bravely on the side of the Allies.
The 99-year-old royal joined the Navy as a cadet in 1939 and manned HMS Valiant in 1941.
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This was despite his two brothers-in-law, Prince Christoph of Hesse and Berthold, Margrave of Baden, fighting for the German side.
Professor Williams continued: “I think really reflects how often Philip was blocked openly and subtly and was constantly subject to these people saying ‘No, no, stay in that corner, just smile and wave’.”
The Greek-born Duke, inspired by his own education and achievements, established the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in 1956.
Prince Phillip will also celebrate his 100th birthday in June however, there are fears royal ceremonies have to be curbed amid the pandemic and lockdown measures.
The Queen’s much-loved garden parties have been canceled for the rest of the year and the Trooping the Colour will be severely scaled back.
Royal commentator and author Omid Scoobie said on the Hierpod podcast: “I think there’s something like over 30,000 guests in total that get to spend a summer afternoon in the gardens of Buckingham Palace or Holyroodhouse alongside the Queen.
“A lot of work goes into this, and it’s widely known as one of the Queen’s favourite duties.
“Unfortunately these have officially been put of their misery.
“It’s such a deflating piece of news for everyone involved.”
