One of the most touching stories to emerge from the Kennedy family archives doesn’t involve politics at all. A new biography exploring the connections between America’s most famous political dynasty and Britain’s royal family reveals that Prince Philip played an unexpected role in comforting a young JFK Jr. after the assassination of his father, President John F. Kennedy.
The poignant moment reportedly took place in the days following one of the darkest chapters in American history, offering a rare glimpse of humanity behind two powerful families.
Prince Philip was a source of comfort for JFK Jr., a new book reveals
According to author Caroline Hallemann’s new book, “The Kennedys & the Windsors,” Jackie Kennedy returned to the White House family quarters shortly after her husband’s funeral in November 1963 and discovered a surprising scene.
Prince Philip was reportedly sitting on the floor playing with 3-year-old John F. Kennedy Jr.
The future magazine publisher had just lost his father and was too young to fully understand the magnitude of the tragedy unfolding around him. Philip, who had experienced significant personal hardships during his own childhood, seemingly recognized the need for a simple act of kindness.
“Here was this boy who had just lost his father and probably wasn’t even fully aware of what was happening,” Hallemann told PEOPLE. She added that Philip, who endured personal tragedy during his own childhood, saw the grieving child and decided, “I’m just going to comfort this young boy.”
Jackie Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II later developed a relationship built on mutual respect, shaped by their unique experiences navigating public life and extraordinary levels of scrutiny. The book also explores parallels between later generations of both families. Princess Diana, for example, reportedly admired Jackie’s ability to balance fame with family responsibilities and viewed the former First Lady as a role model.
Years later, Diana met JFK Jr. during a private visit in New York after he approached her about appearing on the cover of his magazine, George.
TELL US – WERE YOU SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT PRINCE PHILIP’S CONNECTION TO JFK JR. AFTER PRESIDENT KENNEDY’S ASSASSINATION?
