Philip, Prince of Greece: The Duke of Edinburgh's Early Life and the Greek Succession

by Constantinos Lagos, John Carr

Overview

Many books have been written about the late Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, yet there always seem to be corners of his long life that have remained unexplored. In this long look back into his early years, Constantinos Lagos and John Carr uncover hitherto unknown aspects of Philip's life as a Greek prince and his gradual transformation from a mere appendage of the troubled Greek royal family to an enduring pillar of the British monarchy. For the first time, Lagos and Carr delve into neglected Greek archives for a fascinating picture of Philip's early Greek life and the constant insecurity that dogged his steps as his father Prince Andrew of Greece and mother Princess Alice struggled to order their own lives in the maelstrom of unstable and often violent Greek politics in a Europe sliding towards world war. The Greek royal family, in which Philip has his roots, is dealt with at length, to bring out the particular family history and circumstances that played no small part in shaping his personality.

Anyone curious about how Prince Philip actually grew up will find in this book a wealth of eye-opening, often startling details that will add more brush strokes to the portrait of the often-elusive but real Prince Philip.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526790828
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	07/13/2021
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Constantinos Lagos holds a BA in History from Athens University and an MA and PhD in Ancient History from Durhan University in the UK. He teaches History in the Hellenic Air Force Academy and the Hellenic Open University. He is the author of a study of the battle of Fort Rupel (6-10 April 1941) and of a biography of Constantine Perrikos, an aviator who fought in the Greek wartime resistance.

John Carr has enjoyed a career as a journalist, correspondent and broadcaster (The Times, Wall Street Journal Europe, Vatican Radio), mainly in the Mediterranean and particularly Greece, where he now resides. He is the author of 'On Spartan Wings: The Royal Hellenic Air Force in World War II'; 'Spartas Kings'; 'The Defence and Fall of Greece 1940-41'; 'RHNS Averof' and 'Fighting Emperors of Byzantium', all published by Pen & Sword.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

List of Illustrations vii

Prologue xi

Chapter 1 1921 1

Chapter 2 The Making of the Greek Dynasty 4

Chapter 3 Andrew and Alice 19

Chapter 4 Troubles in Paradise: Balkan and World War 35

Chapter 5 Andrew in Danger: Asia Minor and Court Martial 55

Chapter 6 A Family in Pieces 92

Chapter 7 What To Do With Young Philip? 114

Chapter 8 Lucky Royals, Unlucky Andrew 122

Chapter 9 Three Funerals, a Crown and a Boy 146

Chapter 10 Whither 'Philippos'? 154

Chapter 11 A Prince in Love and War 174

Chapter 12 The Elizabethan Solution 207

Chapter 13 Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch 212

Chapter 14 What If…? 217

Appendix I Alice - Away From The Spotlight 225

Appendix II Princess Elizabeth 's Song in the 1943 Windsor Pantomime Show 235

Notes 237

Bibliography 261

Index 264