The Navy's decision to appoint Philip to HMS Royal Arthur's petty-officer school showed confidence in a young officer asked to instruct experienced ratings. A weak instructor would be quickly exposed in that setting. Philip then followed the traditional courtesy of asking his commanding officer for permission to become engaged. The request became comic because his intended bride was the future Queen Elizabeth II, but it still followed ordinary naval custom.
Notable Point · 2:08:04-2:09:04
Postwar instructor duty and an unusually consequential engagement request
Philip taught petty officers at HMS Royal Arthur before formally asking his commanding officer for permission to become engaged.