Philip stuns crowds with ‘terrorist’ joke
PRINCE Philip stunned a crowd of onlookers at Sandringham yesterday as he pointed at a man with a long beard and allegedly asked: “Is that a terrorist?”
Philip, known for his sense of humour and verbal gaffes, cracked the edgy joke as he led a procession of Royals and guests to morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
The 96-year-old was chatting to Princess Anne when he spotted the tall man in his 30s with a hipsterstyle long ginger beard.
An onlooker in the crowd said: “Philip was wishing lots of people a Happy New Year and then he spotted this guy with his distinctive beard.
“He pointed at him in a funny way and turned to one of his royal bodyguards, saying: ‘Is that a terrorist?’ He was obviously having a little joke, but he said it within earshot of the man who burst out laughing and appeared to find the whole thing hilarious.
“I’m sure Philip didn’t mean any harm. His grandson Prince Harry has a ginger beard, so perhaps Philip had been cracking jokes about that over Christmas.”
Philip walked to the church beside Anne who was wearing a green coat and two-tone scarf.
The pair were followed by Anne’s husband Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward and his 14-year-old daughter Lady Louise, and other guests staying at Sandringham House.
The Queen, who was wearing a teal coat with a black collar and matching hat, was driven to the church in her maroon-coloured Bentley with Sophie Countess of Wessex.