In the late 1950s, Captain Otto Spahr arrived in Malta to take command of a U.S. destroyer division. HMS Magpie, commanded by Prince Philip, was in port at the time, and Princess Elizabeth was there to visit her husband. At a reception that evening, the captains of the U.S. ships had wondered what would happen if one of them asked the Princess to dance. The speculation ended with Otto taking bets that he’d do it. Much to his surprise, the Princess accepted and, after the dance, invited him to join her at the next day’s polo match.
Otto went to the polo match and was seated next to Princess Elizabeth in the Royal Box. After surveying the field, Otto said “I don’t see Prince Philip, captain of the Navy team. Isn’t he playing?” She answered, “Oh, no. Magpie is the duty ship today, and he can’t get ashore.”