Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark: The Royal Standards and Titles
Before becoming the Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip held the titles of Prince of Greece and Denmark. As a male-line descendant of King George I of Greece, he was entitled to use the official standards—the ceremonial flags used to indicate the presence of a royal person—of the Greek royal house.
The Symbolism of the Greek Royal Standards
The royal standards used by Prince Philip were designed to reflect national identity and dynastic authority. Both versions of the standard featured a white cross set against a blue field, which served as a symbol of Greece. At the center of these flags sat the royal coat of arms of the Greek dynasty.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Evolution of the Royal Flags
The specific design of the standard Prince Philip used changed over time, reflecting the turbulent political history of the Greek monarchy, which faced periods of abolition and restoration.
The 1914 Standard
The first version of the standard was adopted in 1914. Prince Philip used this version from his birth in 1921 until the monarchy was first abolished in 1924.
The 1936 Standard
Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1935, the royal decrees regarding national and royal flags from 1914 were reinstated on November 7, 1935. However, in 1936, the royal family adopted a new royal standard. This design was similar to the Greek naval jack but featured the royal arms of the family in the center and omitted the crown.
Prince Philip continued to use this 1936 version until 1947, when he renounced his Greek and Danish titles prior to his marriage.
Key Facts
- Lineage: Prince Philip was a male-line descendant of King George I of Greece.
- Design: Greek royal standards featured a white cross on a blue field with the royal coat of arms.
- Timeline: The 1914 standard was used until 1924; the 1936 standard was used until 1974.
- Renunciation: Prince Philip gave up his Greek and Danish titles in 1947.
- Naval Influence: The 1936 standard was modeled after the Greek naval jack but without the crown.
Summary of Greek Royal Standards
| Version | Period of Use | Key Design Features | Status of Monarchy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1914 Version | 1921–1924 | White cross, blue field, royal coat of arms | Abolished in 1924 |
| 1936 Version | 1936–1947 | Similar to naval jack, royal arms, no crown | Permanently abolished 1974 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What titles did Prince Philip hold before becoming the Duke of Edinburgh?
Before his marriage and the creation of his UK dukedom, he was styled as Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.
What did the Greek royal standard symbolize?
The blue field and white cross symbolized Greece, while the central coat of arms represented the Greek royal dynasty.
When did Prince Philip stop using the Greek royal standards?
He stopped using them in 1947 when he renounced his Greek and Danish titles.
How did the 1936 standard differ from the 1914 version?
The 1936 version was based on the design of the Greek naval jack and specifically omitted the crown, though it still featured the royal arms.
What happened to the Greek monarchy during Prince Philip's early life?
The monarchy was abolished in 1924, restored in 1935, and finally abolished permanently in 1974.