Key answer at a glance
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was 26 years old when he married Princess Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. Elizabeth was 21 at the time of the wedding. Their marriage followed a post‑war period of engagement that began in 1946 and a formal engagement announcement in July 1947. The wedding took place after Philip’s formal adoption of British nationality and his renunciation of Greek and Danish titles, ahead of his creation as Duke of Edinburgh on the morning of the wedding.
Marriage date and ages at the wedding
On 20 November 1947, the future Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were married in Westminster Abbey. Their respective ages on the day were:
| Person | Age at wedding | Birth date | Wedding date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth II | 21 years old | 21 April 1926 | 20 November 1947 |
| Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | 26 years old | 10 June 1921 | 20 November 1947 |
Background on Philip’s age and eligibility
Prince Philip was born on 10 June 1921 in Corfu, Greece. He spent his early years in Greece and Denmark before the family’s exile following the Greco‑Turkish war. He was educated in France, Germany, and Scotland, and served in the Royal Navy during World War II. By the time he sought the King’s permission to marry Elizabeth in 1946–1947, he had formally become a British subject, renouncing his Greek and Danish titles and accepting the style His Royal Highness Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. These steps were prerequisites before the King would grant his consent and the wedding could proceed.
Engagement and preparation timeline
Elizabeth and Philip began seeing each other during World War II, meeting in 1934. Their engagement was officially announced in July 1947, after Philip’s naturalisation and service review. The King granted his consent on 28 October 1947, and the wedding was scheduled for 20 November 1947. The engagement period therefore spanned roughly 1946 to the wedding date, with Philip’s suitability and nationality formalised in the months beforehand.
Key milestones between engagement and wedding
- July 1947: Engagement announced publicly at Buckingham Palace.
- 28 October 1947: The King’s consent to the marriage documented in the Privy Council.
- 20 November 1947: Wedding day at Westminster Abbey.
- Morning of the wedding: Philip’s creation as Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich.
Royal context and public significance
In the post‑war period, the marriage symbolised continuity and renewal for the British monarchy. Philip’s background as a naval officer and a member of a deposed Greek royal house added a modern, international dimension to the institution. The age gap — Philip five years older — was modest and aligned with contemporary royal marriages, while both partners were young adults, reflecting the optimism of the era. Their wedding set many precedents, including extensive media coverage and the use of television to broadcast the ceremony to a global audience.
Later life partnership and milestones
Elizabeth and Philip’s marriage lasted more than 70 years, making it one of the longest royal partnerships in British history. They celebrated numerous milestones, including the 25th wedding anniversary in 1972, the Golden Wedding in 1997, and continued public service side by side. Understanding Philip’s age at marriage helps contextualise their shared timeline: he entered the royal household as a young husband, later supporting Elizabeth through decades of changing constitutional and media landscapes.
Summary of ages and dates
Prince Philip was 26 at the time of his marriage to then‑Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947. Key related ages and events are summarised below.
| Detail | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Philip’s birth date | 10 June 1921 | Used to calculate age at marriage. |
| Elizabeth’s birth date | 21 April 1926 | Used to calculate age at marriage. |
| Engagement announced | July 1947 | Marked the public commitment. |
| King’s consent given | 28 October 1947 | Formal permission for the marriage. |
| Wedding date | 20 November 1947 | When Philip was 26 and Elizabeth was 21. |
| Philip’s titles created | 20 November 1947 | Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich. |
References and further reading
Details in this explanation draw on royal biographies, official palace records, and contemporaneous news reports from 1947. Readers interested in deeper verification can consult the Royal Archives and peer‑reviewed studies of the British monarchy’s mid‑20th‑century transition. This overview is intended as a durable, evergreen explanation of Philip’s age at the time of his marriage and the surrounding context.