The Wicked Wit of Prince Philip

by Karen Dolby

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT, OM, GBE has been at the forefront of British public life since he married Princess Elizabeth in 1947. In the seventy years since, his wit (and the occasional "gaffe") has continued to endear him to the nation, as he travelled the world taking his unique and charmingly British sense of humor to its far-flung corners. Hailed as a god by a tribe in Vanuatu, the Prince has had his fair share of brickbats from the media nearer home, but his outspokenness never fails to raise laughs – and eyebrows. From notorious one-liners to less newsworthy witticisms and from plain speaking to blunt indifference, the Prince does what we all wish we could do now and again – forgets polite conversation and says what he thinks. In the year in which the Prince has stepped down from his royal duties, this joyous and timely book celebrates his wry humor and supremely wicked wit.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, History, Biography, Humor

160 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2018

Reviews

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be perfectly blunt, in keeping with the style of the late Prince Philip (though without his wicked wit and colourful language), this book is really quite a shallow one. It reads merely as a collection of greatest hits, so to speak, cataloguing the Duke's extensive witticisms, insults, gaffes, complaints, retorts, etc. It adds very little overall to one's understanding of the man, his life, his impact and whatnot.

I never really cared much for the Royals, not in that I thought badly of them, but rather that I was just entirely indifferent. I was born in England, lived there until I was five, then moved to Australia, and never really had any reason to think about them. Having said that, I always liked Queen Elizabeth II, and I did find myself feeling a patriotic pride I didn't realise I still had during the whole funeral/coronation period last year. I only knew about and liked Philip as far as I knew he wasn't popular among liberals, due to some questionable comments he had made on subjects you are not allowed to joke about. In other words, I only liked him because he was disliked by many people I happened to dislike.

However, this book actually has helped me to form a bit more of an opinion at least on his outward personality and conduct, and to be honest I can't say I am that sympathetic. I don't find him offensive at all. Sometimes, he was indeed quite funny in his utter disregard (or more likely, generational incomprehension of) political correctness. Rather, he just comes across as a bit of a miserable and unpleasant sod, especially given his privileged lifestyle.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Random book I picked off of the Hoopla recommended reads. It was okay, I laughed a few times. Not something I’d tell others to go read.

[Elma Voogdt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wicked Wit of Prince Philip is a book full of sayings and jokes from the prince. A book that family in the UK sent me (just like The Wicked Wit or Queen Elizabeth II, so the series is complete) Prince Philip was known for just saying what he thought. This often resulted in statements that were sometimes funny, but sometimes also could be cruel.

In this book, first of all, a timeline of his active life as a royal has been made, that list is already quite impressive. Then we go step by step through his life, through different chapters. Each chapter again contains small topics in which one or another statement of the prince is central.

The book reads smoothly and regularly you have to smile at the statements etc of the prince. In the book he sometimes comes across as a real rascal. A royal one. In his long active life, the prince always had his word ready. Appropriate but often inappropriate. I think if he hadn’t been the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince consort, people wouldn’t have been so quick to accept it. I think his name or title was his protection.

Many topics are covered in the book, and all are linked to his statements. It is going too far to name them all here, it is better to read the book yourself. In any case, the book makes it clear that Prince Philip had his word ready and had humor. Just like Queen Elizabeth II, by the way. It is a book with a motley collection of sayings, typical of Prince Philip.

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad little book to read in one sitting. I love Prince Phillip, and it's no surprise that his comments aren't exactly PC - but they are taken in light-heartedness and make many people (myself included) laugh.

This book compiles a list of his less than appropriate quips. It's categorised into chapters like politics, his working life, his family life, the media. Each chapter has a page or so explaining a bit about that segment of his life, followed by the quotes.

It's an interesting read based on a very interesting man. Prince Phillip is not one to shy away from saying what he thinks, and this book shows that.

[Shirley Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I met Prince Philip at a Henley garden party for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. We were not part of the official meet and greet but seeing me struggle to get Mum's wheelchair off the gravel path and on to the grass as the security detail approached he made a bee-line for us, told us to stay put and then had a chat for about two minutes until he was moved on to keep pace with the Queen who was on another route. He was funny, charming and had the most amazing eyes. This little volume of some of his quotes is amusing and a light read but no substitute for the real thing - that sense of a caged animal with so much more to give. He clearly sacrificed an alternative destiny and while he has had privilege and comfort he has been far from free to do his own thing all the time. A good compilation that shows diligent research and groups items logically.

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, just as much I did its companion The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II. As someone who enjoys reading about the British Royals (tabloid trash excluded of course), this book was right up my alley. I wholly recommend this book to any Royal fan.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : hardback )
"Turning a page in a high wind wearing gloves..."
A remarkable man.
Husband and Consort to Queen Elizabeth 11 for over 7 decades, Philip dedicated his life to being her support throughout, having given up his own princely titles to European royalty to marry.into that of the British Royal family.
And he was an energetic and humorous man, sometimes making jokes and quips to bring laughter to others, including his wife, sometimes causing controversy with unguarded comments. So this little book should be hilarious, given that his life was full, constantly in the public eye and well reported. There are some very funny parts, worth reading the book just for them. But sadly Karen Dolby's way of telling them is dry and mostly devoid of humour as she briefly gives an historical context.
Even so, it is a tiny glimpse into the man so long behind the throne and can be a true delight.
Not a book to read in one sitting but to dip into it's bite sized paragraphs at odd moments. I will also be reading the companion volume, The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you think of Prince Philip, you likely think of a rather unfiltered, non PC individual going about his ways in official duties. This book captures many of his moments: the good, the bad and the in between all with his interesting take on life.

I listened to this in audiobook format in a rather whimsical delivery, which probably took the content to the next level.

I am convinced that, with his wit, he could have been a successful comedian in another life quite frankly. Whatever the case, he was a Royal and lived his life with his own style and flare.

This book had plenty of laugh out loud moments, and had me saying “I can’t believe he said that” more than a few times. I loved it.

4/5

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book that serves as part biography, and part insight into, as the title suggests, The Wicked Wit of Prince Philip. The book is mainly small sections (normally about two paragraphs separated by new sections) of quotes and the context for the quote. The book itself is broken down into overarching sections such as "Green but slightly mean" for his quotes on conservation, "Not in Front of the Children" for quotes on education and the like.

It offered a new side to Philip for me and is a wonderful book.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice, brief effort for anyone with a love of the cheekiest royal family member out there. Karen Dolby's remit is to offer brief context in terms of biographic detail and subject matter before listing all of the infamous quips, one-liners and bloopers that Philip has come out with over the years. It's a short read and one that's most rewarding as long as you're not too het up about political correctness.

[Colin J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karen Dolby's second attempt is better. In The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II, the book felt more like a glimpse into the Queen's private life than an exploration of her wit. The Wicked Wit of Prince Philip is packed with more wit, delivering on the title's promise. Readers who've researched Prince Philip's gaffes may be disappointed by finding few new ones. However, many of the Prince's comments recorded in this book are worth a second laugh in this quick read.

[Anna-Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I previously received "The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II" from a friend who had come back from a trip to the UK, so when I was in the UK last year I felt compelled to buy Philip's book too. It's an amusing, short read full of quips from an opinionated old man with no filter who just happens to be the Queen's Consort. I needed a nice, easy read and it did the job.

[Lisa Shardlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty entertaining. I know Prince Philip is a funny person, but I wasn’t aware of just how funny he actually is! This had me laughing out loud at some parts, even when he had been quite inappropriate to people!

[Esme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into the life of Prince Philip, which had me chuckling out loud throughout!

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting view of a world leader.

[Kylie Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice collection of his quotes and gaffs. Well put together and no large amount of typo errors unlike a similar version called "I know I'm Rude but it's fun".

[Christine.Darrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked wit Prince. Philip

Excellent read about the wonderful Prince Philip, Britain is poorer without him, I saw him in 1957, A. striking handsome man. with great charisma,

[Keith CARTER · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although sometimes rude the Duke was always honest and very funny. I found this book a very good way to remember the man who is owed so much by this country.

[bigbonton · Rating 4 out of 5]

pleasant summer diversion

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look back at some of Prince Philip's greatest quotes across time.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

[Skelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Prince Philip, his jokes made me laugh throughout growing up. R.I.P.

[Julie Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this . Laughed a few times . Made me appreciate how much he gave up when he married the queen . It’s sad that we’ve now lost both of them .

[Stephen Barwick · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of quotes

[Tara Blais Davison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictably entertaining.

[Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book for a number of reasons, the first being that I genuinely laughed out loud throughout reading it, which rarely happens even when the writer intended it.

The second being that Prince Philip is renowned for having often said either the wrong thing at the wrong time or for saying something in a manner that wasn’t expected of a member of the Royal Family, and more often than not, he was shamed in the papers for doing so. But this book didn’t take one off quotes out of context, in fact, it actually painted a picture of the scene and exactly what was happening around the Duke of Edinburgh for a recipient to receive the comment they did, and it also offered up a few responses from people that had received the comment which gave a clear indication that offence wasn’t always taken as the papers suggested.

And thirdly, the book not only offered a timeline of Prince Philip’s life, but it also gave a brief account of an event with each quote and repeatedly reminded the reader that he was both a man, while living an extraordinary lifestyle, and also a military man which a lot of people, when shocked by his sense of humour, often forget.

[Deirdre E Siegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is an interesting read, it is about speeches made in different global locations.
Thank you for your words Karen Dolby and your eloquence Greg Wagland, much appreciated. :-)

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well narrated. Confirmed what I have been learning via the Crown on Netflix.