Prince Philip dies: Cousin Lady Pamela Hicks pays tribute

Lady Pamela Hicks has paid tribute to her cousin Prince Philip on his death.  

Lady Pamela, 91, daughter of Philip’s maternal uncle Lord ‘Dickie’ Mountbatten, was a lady-in-waiting to the Queen and a bridesmaid at their 1947 wedding. 

On learning of the death of her cousin, she said: ‘A unique man in every way. There was nobody quite like him’ my mother said this morning, hearing the news.’

Lady Pamela, 91, daughter of Philip’s maternal uncle Lord ‘Dickie’ Mountbatten, was a lady-in-waiting to the Queen and a bridesmaid at their 1947 wedding. Pictured, Lady Pamela, then Pamela Mountbatten, with Prince Philip (right) in November 1947

The quote was shared on Instagram by her daughter, India Hicks, who also included an extract from Lady Pamela's 2012 book Daughter Of Empire, in which she gushed over the important position Prince Philip held in her early life

The quote was shared on Instagram by her daughter, India Hicks, who also included an extract from Lady Pamela’s 2012 book Daughter Of Empire, in which she gushed over the important position Prince Philip held in her early life

The quote was shared on Instagram by her daughter, India Hicks, who also included an extract from Lady Pamela’s 2012 book Daughter Of Empire, in which she gushed over the important position Prince Philip held in her early life. 

‘That summer (1938) Cousin Philip often came over to stay, which was always good fun. He was my first cousin, the son of my father’s sister, Princess Alice of Greece,’ she wrote.

‘Eight years older than me, he was the inspiration behind all the naughty, boisterous games we played, including vicious bicycle polo matches with my father. 

‘Philip was very handsome, and even though he was my cousin, hero worship blossomed during those innocent months. I was in awe of him.’ 

Lady Pamela has previously shared insight into Prince Philip’s family life. 

Lady Pamela recalled in a podcast interview last year how the Queen was always ‘patient’ and ‘kind’ to Princess Alice, who could be ‘very sharp and difficult. 

Lady Pamela Hicks, right, with her daughter India Hicks, left, in a documentary that aired this month

Lady Pamela Hicks, right, with her daughter India Hicks, left, in a documentary that aired this month 

‘I remember, she was staying at Windsor and we were waiting to go into lunch,’ Lady Pamela recalled. ‘The equerry had come to collect her for lunch with the Queen.

‘He was a new equerry, a young man of about 20, and thought he must entertain Princess Alice and talk to her.

‘He unwisely asked, “and what have you been doing this morning, Ma’am,’ to which Princess Alice replied: “And what has that got to do with you?”‘

Lady Pamela also explained that, despite living under the same roof as her son, Princess Alice and Prince Philip led very separate lives.

‘She was in a dressing gown, by choice, in the attic,’ Lady Pamela said. ‘While Prince Philip was very busy down below.’

Lady Pamela Hicks was a bridesmaid at the 1947 wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip

Lady Pamela Hicks was a bridesmaid at the 1947 wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip

The Queen announced her husband’s death at midday as the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace. 

The Royal Family said in a statement: ‘It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

‘His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss’.  

His funeral will be a small family service at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle before the duke is buried in Frogmore Gardens, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were laid to rest. 

The date has not been set officially, but sources claim it could be on Saturday, April 17.