Prince Philip wore shoes from 1947 marriage to Queen for over seven decades, kept getting them resoled: Report
Prince Philip reportedly continued to use the same pair of black leather shoes that he wore on his wedding day for the rest of his life.
The Duke of Edinburgh first wore the pair when he took the holy vows with the future Queen on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey. However, he continued to wear them on formal occasions over the next seven decades, the Daily Mail reported.
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Lord Karan Bilimoria paid a warm tribute to his close friend, highlighting the latter's enduring fondness for the 1940's shoes. Bilimoria, president of the Confederation of British Industry, also told the Daily Mail how the humble duke preferred a beer over more fancy wines and champagne.
"He told me once that he was wearing the shoes from the day that he got married," Bilimoria recalled. "We were next to each other and tying up our laces when he told me that those were the same shoes from his wedding day. It was amazing. Who knows how many times they would have been re-soled or repaired? But they were the original shoes. They were traditional black leather shoes. He had had those shoes literally for more than 60 years."
"And that is because of his sentimentality. It was that genuineness that was ever-present," Bilimoria continued. "It just shows what a wonderful person he was. He showed what a wonderful husband he was too. He was always one step behind the Queen at functions. He was absolutely perfect in what he did. He was a great support for her and was also a great leader. He had it all."
Bilimoria said that his old pal had "been the most extraordinary husband, consort, champion, supporter, and a rock to Her Majesty. In fact, he has been the embodiment of true service leadership."
Bilimoria, who founded Cobra Beer, became close friends with the Duke and fostered a relationship that would last more than two decades. They met regularly and exchanged letters about shared common interests as well, according to the British newspaper.
According to Daily Mail, the shoe revelation first came to light in 2011, when The Duke had been invited to the Zoroastrian Centre in London by Lord Bilimoria. Visitors were requested to remove their shoes at the art-deco building in Harrow.
Philip and Bilimoria retrieved their footwear and sat together after the speeches and lunch concluded. It was then that the duke revealed their provenance. "I really got to know him and I was very fond of him. The moment we saw each other it was always big smiles and I just looked forward to seeing him every time I had the privilege of meeting him," Bilimoria said of his meet-ups with Philip. "It was just wonderful. I could tell you story after story, but some of it, I just can't quite frankly!"
He told the Daily Mail that he had nominated the Prince to be awarded the Nobel Prize after an award scheme of his had helped nearly seven million children across the globe. "It would have been hugely well deserved," Bilimoria added.