Duke after the Duty

The Duke of Edinburgh
represented that 
specimen of masculinity – 
the lesser waving spouse.

A man in his own palace 
knelt before his Wife,
who is Queen, knowing 
She could upgrade him 

AT ANY TIME

TO KING

KING Philipo

Think about that

because She converted
the grandchildren,
mere dukes and duchesses,
into PRINCES and PRINCESSES.

What is the point in being a man
in your own kingdom:
emasculated,
downgraded,
and detrousered
overnight?

He didn’t try on 
that crown, 
that throne, 
that satin dress,
those long white gloves
when She was away at the races?

The Prince,
that noble second fiddle
shadow of the Queen, who 
like that other sidekick
Denis Thatcher
was not English
but served dutifully
that ever diminishing breed
of Little Englanders—

This is a crowning achievement
talked about proudly in England
quite rightly.