How Prince Philip ‘Bullied’ His ‘Spoilt,’ ‘Emotionally Needy’ Son Prince Charles

Prince Philip and Prince Charles were never close. Growing up, the Duke of Edinburgh bullied his eldest son because he felt that he was too soft and too emotional.

In the book “The Firm,” royal author Penny Junor said that materially, the heir to the throne was spoilt but he was also emotionally needy. These qualities resulted in Prince Philip sparingly showing his affection towards his eldest child.

“He was rough with Charles, and, according to witnesses, frequently reduced the boy to tears. As a result, Charles was frightened of his father and always desperate to please him, without ever apparently succeeding,” Junor said.

At present, Junor said that Prince Charles is still eager to please his parents, and he still wants to earn their approval. But he still feels as though he is failing much of the time.

The royal author said that it has been a struggle for the dad of two to please his parents especially when the Duke of Edinburgh would repeatedly make sarcastic and cutting comments to him or about him.

“The trouble is that the Prince of Wales is fundamentally a weak man, and that is what has incensed the Duke of Edinburgh over the years. He wanted a son in his own image – a tough, abrasive, plain-talking, unemotional man’s man – but those qualities bypassed his first son and settled instead on his daughter,” Junor said.

Prince Charles and Prince Philip’s personalities couldn’t be more different. For instance, Camilla Parker Bowles’ husband is described as someone who has a generous heart. He also cares hugely about the underdogs because he identifies with them.

Prince Philip, on the other hand, is tough and he also has a wicked sense of humor. At times, he has been dubbed as rude because of his offensive jokes. The dad of four is not afraid to speak his mind anytime, anywhere regardless of the consequences.