Buckingham Palace announced today that Prince Philip will be stepping down from public engagements. At almost 96, and with over 60 years of being in Her Majesty’s Service, that’s a lot of years of working. Especially since the average retirement age in the United Kingdom is 64.8 years old for men.
What does this retirement mean? Well, for the next while, not much. Prince Philip will continue all scheduled events between now and August when he’ll step back. He will, however, still remain in the over 780 charities and causes that he currently plays a role in. He will, however, not take an active role in these charities.
That still sounds like an awful lot of work for anyone, let alone a 96-year-old man. While Queen Elizabeth is not retiring, at 91, she could probably use a break.
To keep reading, click here: Prince Philip Retires at 96; Still Works More Than You Do
I shall have to work until I die, and then take a half-day for the funeral.
Nice work, if you can get it! 🙂
Have you watched The Crown? Way too much work for me!
LOVE The Crown! Although I have to say that Show!Phillip came off as such a self-centered git I had a hard time seeing what Show!Elizabeth saw in him.
All you for real? Maybe you have spent too much time the Sviss? Phillip is a wonderful man, who has led a very very charmed life. Riches beyond anyone’s dreams. No worries about a home, cleaning, yard work. The best food, the best medical care, the best personal care. Several personal valets to dress him, clean his clothes. No worries about safety, travel, etc.since his security detail takes care of that. Has not had to make a decision, including what to eat for breakfast, in 60 years. I wish him well, but he is certainly not the model for any of us. Your posts get further and further away from reality every day. We really do not care much about what the Swiss, the Danes, the Germans do. You are supposed to be writing about U. S. Human Resources. Otherwise, retire to your life of Alpine luxury.
Actually, I own this blog, so I can write about whatever I want to! It’s the beauty of self-employment.
Or you can simply stop reading this blog.
I personally enjoy glimpses into other countries, work and education norms, lifestyles, etc. Keep up the good work!
Sorry Parker, but you do not speak for all of us. Thanks for the insight Suzanne!
“We really do not care much . . .”
“we”? I’d like to add that that royal “we” does not include me.
Thanks for your writing Suzanne! I always enjoy it.
Oh, and while it is true that the royals have lived “charmed” lives, I wouldn’t for a minute consider trading places with any of them. Just how many times can you show up at a ribbon-cutting, statue-unveiling, or some other such event – with all eyes locked on YOU! – and still make unveiling that plaque interesting?
I actually find it very interesting to read EHRL’s posts about what life, culture, and work are like across the pond. In so many ways, EHRL’s posts illustrate what we can learn when we embrace diversity.
I can only hope that I have the health and energy to be only half as busy as Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip.
Oh, goodness, I get tired reading about it.
One tiny haggle: Prince Philip entered the Royal Navy in 1939, just in time for active duty during WWII. So he’s been in public serves for 78 years!
Great post, Suzanne!
Working hard is important. I just happened to see this and wanted to share the fact that I worked Saturday day, night, Sunday morning, Sunday, Sunday night, Monday morning, all day Monday and my record is 5 days straight – without sleep.
And I didn’t miss a beat. Now in this case I did sleep Monday about 11:30pm. And then I finished out the week, which is technically today but running into Saturday morning because of a project deliverable.
10, 15 years ago that was an average week for me. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.
The price to pay for being the best.
Whether that is good or bad is subjective. I work smart, and hard.
And to your point, you have someone that refuses to work regular hours despite the fact they don’t have to work at all. I would do the same thing. Just not sure that Royalty has anything to do with it.
It is difficult for me to justify judging someone that chooses to work 9-5 or have set hours.
Particularly when “most” companies are are outsourcing HR to third-party companies and willing to pay for the right to rent or own or fire. Companies are the commodity, not people.
It is important to distinguish this and that working hard is a choice not a requirement or mandate.
Reality is that companies, their politics, the red tape, and organizational charts are what get in my way. I spend more time now removing those obstacles than getting actual work done. Those are the obstacles getting in the way, not lack of desire or initiative.
I just refuse to allow it. It is unacceptable, and I will work as long and hard as it takes to remove those obstacles so I can do my job. That is the payoff for myself.
Once I do my job, the employees at that company benefit. The company benefits because the employees benefit.
Changing perception of reality, is hard work.
Attending charities, not so much. Too easy.
I’m sorry you feel the need to work that much and hope that you get a break.
I hope to be retired well before 96 🙂 I know that the sense of duty is strong in the royal family, and wish them well.