The golden years
Proud and dignified to the last, the Duke lived to be 99 – and spent his last days with his beloved wife by his side
While most people are quite happy to say goodbye to the working world at age 65, Prince Philip retired a little later than most – in fact, 30 years later – at the age of 96.
It was in May 2017 that Philip announced he would step down from public duties, with ‘the full support’ of the Queen. When a well-wisher said, ‘I’m sorry to hear you’re standing down,’ he quipped, ‘Well I can’t stand up much longer.’
But while Philip may have withdrawn from public duties – he remained an integral part of The Firm – and, as for over 70 years, a support to The Queen.
In April 2018 it was announced that he was going into hospital for a hip replacement. As he was then aged 96, his attendance at the wedding of his beloved grandson, Harry, to Meghan Markle, held in Windsor on 19 May, looked in doubt.
But come the morning of the wedding, he arrived, walking unaided, and battled though the ceremony, despite apparently being in pain for a cracked rib, after falling in the bath.
Philip adored his grandchildren, and had been particularly protective of William and Harry, following the death of Diana in 1997. He was said to have been aghast at the suggestion that the boys walk behind Diana’s coffin, said to ‘bellow from Balmoral’ to a Downing Street spin doctor, ‘F*** off. We are talking about two boys who have just lost their mother.’ It was advice that should have been taken, as Prince Harry confirmed years later, discussing the strain of the ordeal and adding, ‘It would not happen now.’
But he was loved in return by all his grandchildren, and it is particularly poignant that both Zara
Tindall and
Princess Beatrice paid tribute to their grandfather – both giving their newborn sons the middle name Philip as a tribute to the Prince. Princess Anne, who with her no-nonsense attitude and love of horseman-ship, is more like her father, was said to be his favourite. But there is no doubt that he cherished his role as father, and grandfather. He even attended Princess Eugenie’s wedding, when he was not expected to – doubtless out of affection for his
granddaughter, who once said of him ‘He’s been there for all these years, and I think he’s the rock, you know, for all of us.’
After his retirement, Philip moved into Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, while the Queen, then 91, carried on her public duties in London.
Fears were raised about the Duke when he was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in February with an infection, and then transferred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, for an operation on his heart. He was discharged back to Windsor Castle on 16 March and that is where he spent his last days, which were quiet and peaceful.
He passed away in his own bed, on the morning of 9 April, with the Queen by his side. He was just two months short of his 100th birthday.
Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, described the Duke’s passing as ‘peaceful’ and ‘gentle’, saying ‘it was like someone took him by the hand and off he went’.
He was buried at Windsor on 17 April, with Covid restrictions limiting the number of people who could attend the funeral, although millions watched on television.
The mourners were led by Her Majesty, who revealed his death left ‘a void’.
Rest in peace, Sir.