She was Philip’s first love. Had it not been for Queen Elizabeth, she would have probably become his wife

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The future queen and Philip first met when the man was studying at the naval cadet school. Apparently, the duchess fell in love with him at first sight. The outbreak of World War II was a time of great sacrifice for Philip. He then served in the navy, first as an officer, then as the deputy commander of the cruiser. He showed great heroism and courage, for which he was awarded numerous prizes. After returning from the war, he began official efforts to win the hand of Princess Elizabeth. Their wedding took place in 1947 at Westminster Abbey in London.

It is worth mentioning that the royal family was initially very skeptical about Philip’s plans. The most staunch opponent of their marriage was Elizabeth’s mother, the wife of King George VI. Interestingly, years later it turned out that she had another candidate for her daughter’s husband. The Queen Mother was opposed to the union mainly due to the connection of the Mountbatten family with the Nazi regime. Therefore, she preferred that Elizabeth should marry one of the soldiers of the British army or English aristocrats.

It was Philip’s first love

However, few people know that history could have taken a completely different course. The prince’s first great love was the beautiful Canadian Margaret Osla Benning.

The future prince met her when he was 18 years old. At that time, the girl was working at the Hawker-Siddeley aircraft factory in the town of Slough, located about 30 kilometers from the center of London. Filip immediately caught her eye, and she and the rest of him too.

Eventually they became a couple. Interestingly, their relationship was initially approved by Philip’s uncle, Lord Mountbatten. Philip considered her to be the ideal of beauty, while she admires his jokes. The future prince reportedly even started to think about getting married at some point. However, it was during this relationship that he met the daughter of the British ruler.

“I know he was her first love”

Philip, studying at the maritime academy, went to sea. The Canadian waited for her beloved to return. Unfortunately, to no avail. Month by month their contact worsened until Philip decided to marry Elizabeth. Although Margaret and Philip’s relationship never got serious, years later Benning’s only daughter, Janie, admitted that it was Prince Philip who was her mother’s first love:

I know he was her first love. She hasn’t told me about him in years. She only said: I’m in love with a naval officer.