Queen Elizabeth’s Mother Wanted Her to Marry an English Aristocrat Instead of Prince Philip
Queen Elizabeth II’s path to marriage may have been shaped by more than romance, according to royal historian Hugo Vickers, who says her mother, the Queen Mother, once hoped Elizabeth would marry Hugh, Earl of Euston, instead of Prince Philip. Vickers, author of the 2026 biography Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History, said the Queen Mother admired the Grenadier Guards and wanted her eldest daughter to wed one of them, with Hugh seen as a strong possible match. During World War II, Elizabeth and Princess Margaret spent much of their time at Windsor Castle, where Grenadier Guards were stationed nearby, and royal circles reportedly buzzed with speculation that Hugh could be “reserved for a higher destiny.”
The article says that gossip about Hugh’s prospects circulated among aristocrats and politicians, with some believing he might be destined for a major royal role. Lady Brigid Guinness reportedly told Sir Henry “Chips” Channon that she thought Hugh would eventually end up with Elizabeth because “she likes him.” But by late 1943, the idea had cooled, and Channon later wrote that Hugh had been dropped as a prospect because he was considered too passive.
Despite the preference for an English aristocrat, Elizabeth remained focused on Philip, the Greek and Danish prince who served as a decorated Royal Navy officer. Royal commentators quoted in the article said the young princess fell deeply for Philip in 1939 and kept a photograph of him in her room. Even as her parents explored other possibilities, including Hugh and possibly Lord Porchester, Elizabeth reportedly refused to consider anyone else. Experts said King George VI was uneasy about Philip, viewing him as brash, foreign, and not sufficiently English, while courtiers also questioned whether he was a suitable husband for the future queen.
The article says Lord Louis Mountbatten may also have helped remove Hugh from contention by securing him a prestigious posting in India as aide-de-camp to the Viceroy, taking him away from the royal scene. That move, combined with Elizabeth’s resolve, appears to have ended any serious chance for Hugh.
In the end, Elizabeth prevailed. Her engagement to Philip was announced in July 1947, and the couple married on November 20, 1947. Their union lasted more than 73 years, becoming one of the most enduring royal marriages in modern history. Philip died in 2021 at age 99, and Elizabeth died in 2022 at age 96. Royal experts quoted in the article said her choice of Philip proved transformative, describing him as a modernizing force and a “breath of fresh air” who helped shape the House of Windsor’s evolution.
