Prince Philip—Prince Charming, an Officer, and a Gentleman

I have been overwhelmed with sadness ever since I heard the sad news of Prince Philip’s demise on last Friday. Memories stored deep in the recesses of my mind, keep rising to the surface, which made me decide to write this appreciation. 

It was a great privilege when the late President Jayewardene asked my late husband, who was Deputy Minister, Ministry of State to host Prince Philip at Wilpattu, as the representative of the then government when he came in 1982, as President of the World Wildlife Fund. Mrs Elena Jayewardene personally requested me to accompany my husband on this visit. I went ahead to get the house ready and greeted the Prince when he arrived with my husband later that evening. I greeted him at the door, asked him if he would like a drink, he stated his preference, as I walked into the kitchen to get some ice, I found he was right behind me, he had thought he would get it himself. 

"We never did, but Prince Philip’s visit and having the honour of being hostess during his visit to Wilpattu will always be among my most treasured memories"

He was so polite and charming, in sharp contrast to media publicity about his rudeness and blunt speech. He was well informed, clear thinking, at times a trifle provocative, suave and full of bonhomie. I sat beside him at all meals and was stunned that he knew that I was an Anglican and the niece of the late Bishop Lakdasa de Mel, who he said had preached for the Royal family at Windsor. 

I told him that a Mr Spendlove from the UK High Commission had called me twice a day about a special bed for the Prince at Wilpattu. Each time the phone rang, he would tease me saying ‘that must be Spendlove for you’. 
I asked him what time he would like his coffee in the morning before he set off to drive in the Park with my husband before breakfast. He mentioned a time, but long before that we heard him getting up; it was only the Prince, his valet, the Scotland Yard detective, my husband and me in the bungalow. The rest of his staff was accommodated in other bungalows. But we all had meals together in our bungalow catered by Hotel Oberoi.  

"He was so polite and charming, in sharp contrast to media publicity ....He was well informed, clear thinking, at times a trifle provocative, suave and full of bonhomie"

My husband hurried me to dress fast in a sari and run down to get HRH’s coffee. I ran down to the kitchen to find that the Oberoi staff had locked the kitchen and gone to where they were staying. 
The local ASP on duty and I managed to force the door open, I quickly made the coffee and was standing at the foot of the stairs with his cup of coffee, as he came downstairs. I was touched when he mentioned this at the President’s farewell banquet for him at President’s House before he left.

While we were at breakfast one morning, I noticed some photographers some way off. I had read that the Royal family dislike being photographed while eating and told my husband this in Sinhala, HRH quickly picked up the vibes and asked what the problem was. When I mentioned it, he said ‘don’t worry they are too far away.’ 
He always took the wheel while driving in the jungle and we were amazed at his knowledge about the names of the various birds we saw. He was always most concerned whether he was driving too fast for me, I teased my husband saying ’this is something you never bother to ask me, learn from his good manners’. He asked me whether we could drive to Anuradhapura as he wanted to show his staff the monuments and places of historic interest there. 

"I quickly made the coffee and was standing at the foot of the stairs with his cup of coffee, as he came downstairs. I was touched when he mentioned this at the President’s farewell banquet"

He had been to them all when he was here during the war. I said’ Certainly your Highness, your wish is a command’ and proceeded to make arrangement for breakfast at President’s House, Anuradhapura. He drove us there, just my husband, me and the Scotland Yard guy with him in vehicle, he drove to every spot he wanted to go to in Anuradhapura without directions, remembering them all from his earlier visits. He then piloted the plane, one of Her Majesty’s aircraft from Anuradhapura to Colombo with my husband and me on board. Once, he suddenly gave over to the co-pilot and walked into the cabin. I stood up too fast and hit my head, he remarked ’With all the trouble I took to fly the plane so smoothly as you were on board you have hurt your head’. 

I was also present at the Zoo when an elephant was presented to HRH for the London Zoo and at the President’s farewell banquet for him. He praised my efforts at seeing that he and his party were comfortable and content, to the President and when we said goodnight he said “Goodbye, thank you for everything” I said “I’m coming to the airport to say goodbye, he said “Won’t it be too early for you, I said, “No I will be there”. 
He gave us a book he had written The Environmental Revolution as a farewell gift, signed by him, and asked us to contact him whenever we came to London. 

We never did, but Prince Philip’s visit and having the honour of being hostess during his visit to Wilpattu will always be among my most treasured memories. 
He was always downright, direct, never rude, humorous and so courteous. He will never be forgotten; he was a wonderful consort to Her Majesty, supporting her through the many storms that she had to deal with, in her outstanding reign, conducted with refined dignity to duty. 
My sympathies go to her and to her family in their loss, which will be felt intensely as time moves on. “Here was a man, when comes such another”.
May His Royal Highness Prince Philip Rest in Peace.