The Queen was ‘madly in love’ with Prince Philip

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip married in 1947 and on their 50th wedding anniversary, Her Majesty described her husband as ‘an invaluable contribution to my life.’ Dr Dunlop is the author of the biography ‘Elizabeth and Philip: A Story of Young Love, Marriage and Monarchy’ and spoke about how their relationship is portrayed in the new season of The Crown. Dr Dunlop said Queen Elizabeth was ‘madly in love’ with the Prince Philip (Image: Getty Images)Dr Dunlop said Queen Elizabeth was ‘madly in love’ with the Prince during their 73-year marriage.In 2012, Queen Elizabeth famously also referred to Prince Philip as her ‘strength and guide’ during her Diamond Jubilee address to Parliament.The historian said: ‘I think Philip loved Elizabeth. I’ve never been in any doubt about that. She changed his life.’She gave him stability that he never had, she gave him wealth he never had. She gave him a platform he couldn’t have dreamed of. She gave him everything he didn’t have.’The royal expert claims that ‘independence’ and ‘tolerance’ were the secret to the royal couple’s happy marriage and said the Queen was ‘very good’ at giving Prince Philip his space.Dr Dunlop then referenced a speech Prince Philip gave on their silver wedding anniversary in 1972, in which the royal described the Queen as having ‘tolerance in abundance’.The Prince said while toasting the Queen: “I think the main lesson we have learned is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient in any happy marriage… You can take it from me, the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.”In her own speech on the same event, The Queen said: “If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction, I am for it.”READ MORE: Harry urged to ditch Netflix deal as Duke handed ‘resignation letter’ The royal couple married in 1947 and were together for 73 years (Image: Getty Images) The Crown has been called “cruel” for its portrayal of Prince Philip (Image: Getty Images)Earlier this month, the historian said the Queen ‘cut Prince Philip some slack over his relationship with women’ as Her Majesty was aware her husband had to ‘walk a tightrope’ due to his role as her consort.The commentary comes after Netflix’s new season of The Crown was released, which features a storyline about the relationship between Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull.The new series portrays a fictional Prince Philip being annoyed with Queen Elizabeth and teaching carriage riding to Ms Knachbull.Speaking on the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential series, Dr Donlop spoke about The Crown and said: ‘The inference is that he wasn’t sexually faithful – that’s what people have inferred.’But whether he was or not, the Queen and him clearly had a loving and enduring marriage and a partnership that she leant on and he leant on. They both depended on each other.’DON’T MISS:’No golden coach!’ Meghan may have been wrong about ‘grand’ marriage [REVEAL]Queen Mother pushed back against Queen and Philip engagement [INSIGHT]Harry wrote emotional letter to bereaved Armed Forces children [REPORT]The former spokesman for Queen Elizabeth, Dickie Arbiter, has criticised the Netflix series for its portrayal of Prince Phillip.He said: “Coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish.’The truth is that Penny was a long-time friend of the whole family. Netflix are not interested in people’s feelings.’The Editor-in-Chief of Majesty magazine, Ingrid Seward, also described The Crown’s portrayal as ‘exceedingly bad taste’.Ms Sward added: ‘This is fiction. There’s no way in a million years he’d discuss his marriage with anybody. The royals probably won’t watch it for their own sanity.’