Daily Mirror

Terrorist jibe of Prince Philip

Gaffe-prone duke’s jibe at wellwisher’s long beard

- BY VICTORIA MURPHY Royal Correspond­ent & ANDREW YOUNG victoria.murphy@mirror.co.uk

Everyone knows Philip has a sense of humour, although some might have thought it risqué IAN SMITH LAWYER WHO WAS AT THE SANDRINGHA­M CHURCH

THE Duke of Edinburgh made yet another explosive gaffe yesterday when he saw a man with a long beard and asked: “Is that a terrorist?”

Prince Philip, 96, was greeting crowds at Sandringha­m while he walked to church when he turned to a bodyguard and made the joke about the man’s hipster-style ginger whiskers.

An onlooker said: “The man appeared to be his with wife and child. Philip was wishing people a Happy New Year then spotted this guy with a distinctiv­e beard.

“He pointed at him in a funny way and turned to a bodyguard, 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 seemed to find it hilarious. I think Philip knew he was going to be overheard.”

JOKED

The bearded man left the Norfolk estate before he could be identified. Ian Smith, 39, a lawyer based in Switzerlan­d, was at the church and said: “Everyone knows Prince Philip has a sense of humour, although some might have thought it was a risqué comment.”

Philip also joked with Alison Leggett, 54, of Hunstanton, Norfolk, after seeing her fox red Labrador lying on the wet ground. He pointed, saying: “I hope he hasn’t got rising damp.”

He walked to St Mary Magdalene Church from Sandringha­m House with daughter Princess Anne, 67, her hubby Sir Timothy Laurence, 62, Prince Edward, 53, and his daughter Lady Louise, 14. The Queen, 91, was driven to there with Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 52, in her Bentley.

However, there was no sign of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, or Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle.

William and Kate, both 35, are thought to be spending New Year with her family, while Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, are believed to be on holiday as they plan their wedding in May.

 ??  ?? CHURCH SERVICE Prince Philip and Anne at Sandringha­m
CHURCH SERVICE Prince Philip and Anne at Sandringha­m
 ??  ?? STROLL Prince Philip and Princess Anne yesterday POPULAR Crowds greet royals on way to church
STROLL Prince Philip and Princess Anne yesterday POPULAR Crowds greet royals on way to church
 ??  ?? DRIVEN Queen in Bentley
DRIVEN Queen in Bentley

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