Prince Philip didn't think he was 'important enough' to have his own bodyguards, according to a former royal protection officer

• A former royal protection officer said Prince Philip didn't believe he required bodyguards.
• Simon Morgan told Insider that Philip often said he wasn't "important enough" for royal protection.
• Philip reportedly said the protection team should look after the Queen and Prince Charles, not him.

The Duke of Edinburgh didn't think he was as important as the Queen or Prince Charles, a former royal bodyguard who protected him has said.

Simon Morgan, who worked as a protection officer to the royal family from 2007 until 2013, told Insider he would often accompany Prince Philip to royal engagements during his time in the role.

According to Morgan, Philip didn't think his role as the Queen's consort earned him the right to royal protection.

"He would often comment that the protection team weren't there for him because he wasn't important enough - they were there for the Queen or the Prince of Wales," Morgan told Insider. "He would always make a point in saying we weren't there for him, but in reality we were there for him."

Prince Philip died at the age of 99 on Friday, April 9. He was married to the Queen for 73 years, making him the longest serving consort in British history.

"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," the palace said in a statement obtained by Insider on Friday. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

Morgan added that, despite Philip's belief that he wasn't important, he could be considered the "CEO of the royal family."

"The duke was exceptionally driven, he knew what the monarchy was all about," Morgan said. "He was the CEO of the royal family, while the Queen occupied the chairman's role, if you want to look at it like a traditional business structure."

"I worked with or around him for the whole time I was there. He was very much a great character, with a great sense of humor," Morgan said.

Morgan added that he and other protection officers would sometimes "be the butt of his jokes," and were able to have a laugh with the duke while on duty.

"You've got to remember, being a protection officer, you are dealing with human beings. If you do it as a robot, you won't succeed, because you don't get to build up that rapport," he said.