Prince Philip Celebrates Return to Full Health With New Gaffe

by Tom Sykes Jul 10, 2012 12:22 PM EDT

Prince Philip tells Septuagenerian athlete, "You look old".

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh welcomed the Olympic torch relay as torrential rain fell on Windsor Castle today.

And Prince Philip showed he is back in full health by telling one of the septuagenerian torch bearers: "You look quite old."

I know! Isn't it brilliant news! There is just no stopping this man!

DV1213450 — Ben Stansall / AFP / Getty Images

The lucky recipient of today's forthright remark was Charles McIlvenny, who ran with the torch in 1948 and is in his seventies.

"It was an experience I wouldn't miss at all," he said. "She congratulated us. She was very thrilled and we had a little five-minute chat. Prince Philip told me 'You look quite old' and I was going to say, 'Well not quite as old as you'."

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Tom Sykes is a writer and journalist, and he edits The Royalist blog for the Daily Beast. Tom has worked for many publications, including a stint as a nightlife reporter and gossip columnist for the New York Post. He has written several books, most recently helping John Taylor of Duran Duran write and edit his autobiography, published by Dutton. Tom lives in London and Ireland.

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About the Author

Tom Sykes

THE ROYALIST, updated several times daily, reports on all aspects of the British Royal Family. With breaking news and the latest gossip, great pictures and informed commentary, the Royalist is essential eyeballing for fans of the world’s most famous family.