Philip is and was a man's man. Straight shooting, stand up kind of guy. He doesn't mince words but also is known for his "gaffes" that can be insulting or funny depending on how you look at it. He's loyal to a fault. He can be a stubborn old goat set in his ways. He's a tinker that likes to look at things and come up with innovative ways of doing things and modernizing. It took time but he found his niche within the "Firm" and was even the chairperson when they had meetings of the "Way Ahead" group to plot the future of the "Firm". He's established The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme that is far reaching across the globe. He's the type of man that love to be active and would be late for his own funeral if he had any say in it.
He has always been the patriarch of the family. Once upon a time, the Queen and Philip were driving in the car (Margaret Rhodes, the Queen's cousin was also there). The Queen was "backseat driving" and Philip, without mincing words, told her to "shut up or you're going to walk". Margaret later said to the Queen, "You're the Queen. Why did you shut up?" HM responded, "I didn't want to walk". This couple has had their ups and downs and "I love you but I don't like you too much right now" days just like every other couple. They respect each other's individuality and don't need to be in each other's back pockets all the time. They have endured for going on 72 years together and the Queen sees Philip as "her strength and stay".
As far as Philip insisting on Gordonstoun for Charles' education, I think he did have Charles' best interests at heart but he didn't realize fully just what his son's character makeup was really like. Charles could probably, at the time, be deemed the negative to the photo of Philip's personality. It worked for Philip and made a man out of him but it was a miserable existence for Charles. Anne is really more like her dad than any of the other siblings and she's a no nonsense, straight up personality just like her dad. ?
Philip is the longest serving consort to the British monarch and his life span is an interesting one. He's earned his place in British history and has been stellar in his service to Crown and Country.
My favorite quote of Philip's has to be "You have mosquitoes. We have the press."