Duke of Hazard: Prince Philip’s Gaffes
Prince Philip (left) with grandsons.
It’s a little odd that when most of us make a joke, it’s called a joke, but when Prince Philip does it, it’s branded a “gaffe”.
The Queen apparently relishes his “gaffes” and finds them funny; others shake their heads in humourless disapproval.
Now we have a new book on the market listing Philip’s efforts. Kindly, the authors refer to them as “wit and wisdom”. The book is Duke of Hazard: The Wit and Wisdom of Prince Philip by Phil Dampier and Ashley Walton.
Published just 10 days before the Prince’s 85th birthday, the tome has summoned a rejoinder from Philip’s private secretary, Sir Miles Hunt-Davis: “My predecessor worked here for 30 years and I have worked with the Duke of Edinburgh for 15 years. If he had been as ascerbic as presented, he wouldn’t have kept the staff that he has. These extracts are not indicative of the man as a whole.”
Examples of Prince Philip’s Wit
“And what exotic part of the world do you come from then?”
To Lord Taylor of Warwick, who’s black and comes from Birmingham.
“If it swims and it’s not a submarine the Chinese will eat it.”
At a World Wildlife Fund dinner.
“The bastards murdered half my family.”
About the Russians during a visit to the country.
“So who’s on drugs here?”
To members of a Bangladeshi youth club in central London.
Clearly our Prince of mirth is not one for political “correctness”.
As politically incorrect as this sounds i find some of these gaffes humorous. People have to remember that he is of generation where some of his gaffes would not be taken seriously. As his private secretary points out if the man was as bad as he is made out to be there would be a huge turnover in his staff. What makes this all the more funny is that as politically correct as the Prince of Wales tries to be he has had more private secretaries than his father.
By Trudie on May 31st, 2006 at 1:32 am
The last one was funny.. I just imagined Chandler from Friends saying that. way too funny.
By Ziny on May 31st, 2006 at 2:48 am
You’re right, they’re hilarious. The Queen is quite funny in private — she even mimes to a singing fish, by all accounts. But never in public. So it’s refreshing that Philip is so unpredictable and humorous. When Charles called the Chinese leaders “appalling old waxworks”, was it a sign he’s following in his father’s footsteps?
By John on May 31st, 2006 at 7:46 am
It’s British dry humour, but at the same time sorry to say but pretty ignorant when it is used as humour in other countries…
mimes to a singing fish???…lol
By Lucy on May 31st, 2006 at 10:19 am
Yes, Lucy, she has a kareoke fish that plays songs while opening and closing its mouth. The Queen is said to sing along with it. Great hobby
By John on May 31st, 2006 at 10:23 am
OMG John I would have loved to have seen footage of that…lol Was that on Tv?
By Lucy on June 1st, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Unfortunately not, Lucy. The fish is kept in the Palace freezer I believe
By John on June 1st, 2006 at 12:22 pm