
In the 1959 Disney film Sleeping Beauty, Prince Phillip is the first Disney prince to be given a proper name and a developed character. He is brave, heroic, and bold, and he risks everything to save Princess Aurora and the kingdom from perpetual sleep. Prince Phillip is betrothed to Princess Aurora, the daughter of his father's friend, but falls in love with a peasant girl in the forest, unaware that she is actually Aurora. With a kiss, he breaks the spell cast by the evil fairy Maleficent, awakening Aurora and the kingdom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the film | Sleeping Beauty |
| Year of release | 1959 |
| Name of the character | Prince Phillip |
| Age | 19-20 years old |
| Voice actor | Bill Shirley |
| Horse | Samson |
| Father | King Hubert |
| Betrothed | Princess Aurora |
| Aurora's parents | King Stefan and Queen Leah |
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What You'll Learn

Prince Phillip was voiced by Bill Shirley
Prince Phillip, the deuteragonist of Disney's 1959 animated feature film Sleeping Beauty, was voiced by Bill Shirley. Shirley was an American actor, tenor/lyric baritone singer, and Broadway theatre producer. He was known for his work as the speaking and singing voice of Prince Phillip in Walt Disney's 1959 animated classic.
William Jesse Shirley, born on July 6, 1921, in Indianapolis, Indiana, began singing at a young age. His mother, a professional pianist, discovered his talent when he was around five years old. Shirley's singing range was tenor/baritone, and it had a youthful quality, making him ideal for the voice of the young Prince Phillip.
Before being cast as the voice of Prince Phillip, Shirley had to audition with Mary Costa, who voiced Princess Aurora. During the film's production, he and actor Ed Kemmer served as live-action reference models for the animators, performing many of the sequences while they drew the character. Shirley's good looks and shyness endeared him to his co-stars and actresses playing the fairy godmothers.
In addition to Sleeping Beauty, Shirley had a diverse career in entertainment. He dubbed vocals for films, including Oh, You Beautiful Doll (1949) and Dancing In The Dark (1949). He performed on radio and stage, including appearances on "Hollywood Bowl" in 1945 and "On Stage America" in 1946. He also acted alongside singing actress Gale Robbins in various productions and on an episode of the Ed Wynn Show in 1950.
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He was named after the Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Phillip, the deuteragonist of Disney's 1959 animated feature film Sleeping Beauty, was named after the prince that Americans knew best at the time, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II and the consort of the British monarch from his wife's accession on 6 February 1952 until his death on 9 April 2021. He was born on 10 June 1921 into the Greek and Danish royal families. His family was exiled from the country when he was just 18 months old. He joined the Royal Navy in 1939 when he was 18 years old.
In July 1939, Philip began corresponding with the 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth, the elder daughter and heir presumptive of King George VI. During World War II, he served with distinction in the British Mediterranean and Pacific fleets. In the summer of 1946, the King granted Philip permission to marry Elizabeth, then aged 20. Before the official announcement of their engagement in July 1947, Philip stopped using his Greek and Danish royal titles and styles, became a naturalised British subject, and adopted his maternal grandparents' surname Mountbatten.
On 20 November 1947, he married Elizabeth and was bestowed the title of Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich. The title of Duke of Edinburgh is named after the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh, and does not include any territorial landholdings or produce revenue for the title holder. The dukedom was first created in 1726 by King George I, who bestowed it on his grandson Prince Frederick, who later became the Prince of Wales in 1728.
In the 1959 film Sleeping Beauty, Prince Phillip is the son of King Hubert and is betrothed to Princess Aurora, the daughter of King Stefan, to unite their kingdoms. However, he falls in love with a peasant girl in the forest, unaware that she is Princess Aurora. After discovering her true identity, he risks everything to save his love, their family, and the kingdom from eternal sleep.
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Phillip was betrothed to Princess Aurora
In Disney's 1959 animated feature film *Sleeping Beauty*, Prince Phillip was betrothed to Princess Aurora as infants. Their betrothal was arranged by their parents, King Stefan, Queen Leah, and King Hubert, aiming to unite their kingdoms.
At Princess Aurora's christening, it was resolved that she would marry Prince Phillip, uniting their fathers' kingdoms. King Stefan and King Hubert, the fathers, were close friends. Despite their betrothal, Phillip later proposed to Aurora personally, which she joyfully accepted.
Prince Phillip meets Aurora in the forest, mistaking her for a peasant girl. She directs him to her cottage for a later meeting. Unbeknownst to Phillip, he walks into a trap by Maleficent at the cottage. The fairies, overhearing a conversation about Phillip's encounter with a 'peasant girl', deduce that the girl is Aurora, revealing her true identity to Phillip.
In the forest, Phillip falls in love with the peasant girl, unaware that she is Princess Aurora, to whom he was betrothed for political unity. Despite the arranged marriage, he risks everything to save Aurora, their family, and the kingdom from perpetual sleep. His bravery includes escaping Maleficent's castle, combating her minions and magic, and confronting Maleficent directly. Ultimately, he revives Aurora from her curse with a true love's kiss.
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He was the first Disney prince to be given a proper name
In the 1959 Disney film Sleeping Beauty, Prince Phillip is the first Disney prince to be given a proper name. The character was designed by Disney Legend Milt Kahl, one of Disney's Nine Old Men, who was in charge of other beloved characters such as Pinocchio and Peter Pan.
Prince Phillip is named after the late Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II. At the time, he was the prince that Americans knew best. The name Phillip is of Greek origin, meaning "lover of horses".
In the film, Prince Phillip is the son of King Hubert. He is betrothed to Princess Aurora, the daughter of King Stefan and Queen Leah, as a means of uniting their kingdoms. However, he falls in love with a "peasant girl" in the forest, unaware that she is actually Aurora. After discovering her true identity, he risks everything to save her, their family, and the kingdom from eternal sleep.
Phillip displays bravery and courage in his efforts to save Aurora, including escaping Maleficent's castle, combating her minions and magic, and confronting Maleficent directly. He ultimately revives Aurora from her curse with a true love's kiss.
In Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, Phillip makes another appearance when he temporarily leaves the kingdom, leaving Aurora to reign in his absence.
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The character was designed by Milt Kahl
The character of Prince Phillip from Disney's 1959 animated film *Sleeping Beauty* was indeed designed and animated by the talented Milt Kahl. Kahl was one of the legendary "Nine Old Men" of Disney animation, a group of core animators who worked closely with Walt Disney and contributed significantly to the early Disney films.
Kahl is particularly renowned for his work on male characters, and Prince Phillip is considered one of his most memorable creations. The prince's design is a testament to Kahl's skill and attention to detail. He is known for his handsome and dashing appearance, with a strong, angular jawline and sleek, dark hair. His costume, a red tunic with gold trim and a black cape, adds to his regal and heroic aura.
When it comes to the prince's age, Disney has never explicitly stated a specific number, but it is estimated that Prince Phillip is around 18-21 years old in the film. This estimation is based on a few factors, including the fact that he is of marriageable age and is expected to take on the responsibilities of a king. Additionally, the voice actor for Prince Phillip, Bill Shirley, was 38 years old at the time of the film's release, which may have influenced the perceived age of the character.
Milt Kahl was a master of capturing human anatomy and movement in his animations, and this is evident in the way Prince Phillip moves and carries himself. The character's animations showcase a youthful energy and a sense of confidence and strength. Kahl also designed another beloved character from *Sleeping Beauty*, the owl-turned-prince, Prince Phillip's companion, and sidekick, Owl.
Overall, the design and animation of Prince Phillip contributed significantly to the film's success and the lasting impact it has had on audiences. Milt Kahl's talent and attention to detail brought the character to life, capturing the essence of a brave, dashing, and heroic prince.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince Phillip is estimated to be between 19 and 20 years old in the 1959 film Sleeping Beauty.
Bill Shirley voices Prince Phillip in the 1959 film Sleeping Beauty.
King Hubert is Prince Phillip's father in the 1959 film Sleeping Beauty.
Prince Phillip's horse is named Samson in the 1959 film Sleeping Beauty.
Prince Phillip marries Princess Aurora in the 1959 film Sleeping Beauty.




















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