The Queen has lost her husband, Prince Philip. Royal expert Mareile Höppner is certain that she will continue.
Prince Philip died on April 9th at the age of 99. The private loss for Queen Elizabeth II (94) is “hard to measure,” says Mareile Höppner (43), TV presenter and royal expert, in an interview with spot on news. The author of “What Comes After the Queen?” one thing is certain: the monarch will do “whatever was asked of her – persevere”.
All over the world royalty, politicians, stars and royal fans mourn Prince Philip. What made him such a great personality?
Mareile Höppner: It was probably his demeanor, his stamina, but also his humor that most people remember. I have often seen how he was always two steps after his wife, still quickly looking for a conversation on the left and right. He never made a difference who was chatting with him. He joked and ran after his famous wife with a smile. Anyone who has witnessed this has understood why Prince Philip endured never being king, but simply the prince and husband. He liked his role on the outside.
He was allowed to do what his wife could never do. And the fact that he was the decision maker at home is something that not only the Queen has often emphasized. Prince Charles also described the father as strict and pioneering, which was not always easy for the delicate son. Prince Philip’s hearts didn’t fly to the ground right from the start. On the contrary, at the beginning he was rather disparagingly called “The Greek”. But over the years he developed his own role and his particular proximity to the military and the navy has earned him a lot of recognition.
The fact that Prince Charles was able to give his speech in German on one of his first visits to Germany is also thanks to his strict father. He made sure that Charles also speaks German, like Prince Philip himself. Prince Philip was always known for his special humor and one can imagine that he looks down from above with a smile, making one of his famous jokes. He once said that he was the world’s most famous plaque reveler – now there will probably be plaques in his honor.
What will the next few days be like for the Queen and her family, what will the funeral look like under Corona conditions?
Höppner: The Queen’s next days are tightly organized. She is known for her iron discipline. Despite her great loss, she will probably force her to hold on now. The Queen and Prince Philip himself have strictly regulated how the final processes should look like after their death. From food to music, nothing is left to chance. Only Corona could not be planned. Prince Philip wanted a military funeral on a small scale. Whereby the word small can of course be interpreted either way.
Only there will probably not be any large gatherings, more of a memorial with the family. But one will certainly try to maintain the military framework nonetheless. That means gun salutes, a coffin laid out, soldiers from the British Army, but also probably from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, plus a sea of flowers. The family will come together, even those who have had little to say to each other in the past few weeks. The company stands above everything, the Queen has always lived it that way. It will continue like this even now.
With the death of Prince Philip, the Queen loses her greatest support. How will the royal family change, who will be the main point of contact for Elizabeth II?
Höppner: Prince Charles has long been the most important pillar of the public. Incidentally, he’s the only one who can shake hands with the Queen when she gets out of the royal carriage. After Prince Philip retired into royal retirement, Prince Charles has taken his place. He is now relieving his mother of strenuous trips abroad as well as many mandatory appointments, countless of which are on the royal calendar every day. Prince Charles is no longer the royal trainee he was for many years, he is preparing for his next job and that will be the throne.
Nevertheless, the private loss for the Queen can hardly be measured. And as you know from all marriages that have existed for so long, no one likes to go on without the other. But the Queen will do whatever was asked of her – persevere. And Britain will thank her. After all, the country is not only stuck in the Corona crisis, but also has to digest Brexit. And the Megxit wasn’t exactly a royal charm offensive either. So the Queen is still needed. More urgent than ever!
The royal family will meet again at Prince Philip’s funeral. How cool is the reception for Prince Harry after the TV interview with Oprah Winfrey?
Höppner: You can imagine that one or the other serious word is exchanged behind closed doors. Even more because it is known that Prince Philip was not a fan of Harry and Meghan’s interview and even less of the step to leave the royal family. You don’t even have to play a mouse to know that things are going very well. Ultimately, the interview discredited the family. And that at a time when Prince Philip was seriously ill. Nevertheless, the family will probably pull themselves together when the whole world watches the broadcast of the funeral service and tries to read their faces.
Do you think the Queen will now abdicate and hand over the crown to Prince Charles – or even directly to Prince William?
Höppner: This step was always ruled out and it remains so now. The Queen has always felt it was her greatest burden, but also an obligation, that her father was forced to take over the throne, and with it she too. She will fulfill this responsibility until her death. And then Prince Charles will move up, after all, that’s what he practiced for years. And even if many Britons would like to see the young Prince William on the throne earlier, tradition will require something different. Prince Charles not only has fans in Great Britain, some fear his critical spirit, which the traditionalists do not agree with the Crown, others have something against his lucrative private business as an organic farmer. Nevertheless, he will hold the office for the first time, as one of the oldest kings at all in this world-famous post.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have criticized the Royals in front of an audience of millions. Prince Andrew is further involved in the Epstein scandal. How badly does that hurt the British monarchy? Does the institution have a future?
Höppner: The British monarchy is in one of the worst crises in a long time. And the scandals in the recent past must haunt the Queen and they make her more responsible. An institution like this must not run away from accusations of racism, they have done that for far too long. And there is little acceptance for this, especially among the young British population. The monarchy will have to change; difficult tasks await the younger generations. The Queen may still be able to sit it out, but in the future you will expect different, new tones.