Love Story: Touching tweets in remembrance of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth’s 73-year marriage

Queen Elizabeth, who’s known for being succinct and keeping a stiff upper lip, broke from tradition to show profound emotion in a speech made in commemoration of her 50th wedding anniversary to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

This was in November 20, 1997. 24 years later, on 9 April, Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Philip had passed away peacefully at home, in Windsor Castle, at the age of 99. Just two months short of his 100th birthday.

Thoughts immediately turned to his wife, the Queen, with whom he shared a 73-year marriage—becoming the longest-serving royal consort in British history by more than a decade.

Born a prince of Greece and Denmark in Corfu, Prince Philip’s family was exiled from Greece when he was 18 months old following a coup. As an 18-year-old cadet, he met 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth of England at the Britannia Royal Naval College in 1938. They exchanged letters throughout the war and their relationship blossomed after he returned from serving in the military.

In preparation for their marriage, Prince Philip became a British citizen, took on a new Anglicized last name—Mountbatten—and renounced his right to the Greek and Danish thrones. They married in November 1947. It’s said Prince Philip had a secret message inscribed inside the Queen’s wedding ring, which only three people have seen.

Five years later, he broke the news of her father’s death to the soon-to-be Queen. And at her coronation, he got down on his knees before her and swore to be her “liege man of life and limb”. The marriage, however, hit a rough patch in the ’50s and ’60s with allegations of his infidelity.

The royal couple eventually reconciled duty to the crown and to family, when Prince Philip found his footing as the Queen’s consort. He devoted time and effort to the role of a steadfast and supportive life partner in their twilight years. He was a controversial figure—another piece, for another day—but his commitment to the Queen was remarkable.

Below, commemorate their enduring and inspiring love story through these touching tweets (and sweet pictures):

Rest in peace, Prince Philip.