Prince Philip: His Life, Relationships, and Legacy

When Prince Philip died at 99 in April 2021, it closed a chapter that spanned nearly a century of British history — he was the longest-serving consort, the Queen’s “strength and stay” for 73 years, and a figure whose blunt opinions shaped his public image. But behind the formal duties and stiff uniforms lay a complicated family man whose relationships with Diana and Meghan still fuel headlines today.

Age at death: 99 ·
Years married to Queen Elizabeth II: 73 ·
Solo public engagements: 22,219 ·
Children: 4 ·
Birth date: June 10, 1921 ·
Death date: April 9, 2021

The seven key facts below trace Prince Philip’s life from his Greek birthplace to his record-breaking public service.

Did Prince Philip like Diana?

What was the nature of their relationship?

• People magazine described their bond as “unique yet rocky.”
• ABC News Australia reported that Philip initially welcomed Diana but tensions arose over time.
• Royal biographers have cited correspondence between Philip and Diana after her separation, though the full content remains private.

Did Prince Philip approve of Diana’s public role?

• Us Weekly noted Philip often guided new royals, including Diana, suggesting he had a hand in shaping their public approach.
• The Royal Family’s official biography of Diana notes her transition into public life, but does not detail Philip’s specific role.

The implication: Despite a respectful working relationship, the personal distance between Philip and Diana reflected the broader tensions within the royal family during the 1980s and 1990s.

What was Prince Philip’s warning to Harry about Meghan?

What exactly did Prince Philip say to Harry?

• Us Weekly characterized Philip as a “guiding hand” for new members, implying he would have offered counsel to Harry.
• According to royal sources, Philip urged Harry to take his relationship with Meghan slowly, though the specific wording has never been publicly confirmed.

How did Harry respond to the warning?

• Prince Harry has spoken warmly of his grandfather’s advice in interviews, noting that Philip told him to “take it slowly.”

The catch: The lack of a confirmed record means the warning remains part of royal lore rather than documented history.

What was the cause of death for Prince Philip?

Was there an underlying illness?

• Prince Philip died of “old age,” according to his death certificate, as reported by Boston University.
• He had been admitted to hospital for a pre-existing condition in February 2021 but recovered and returned to Windsor Castle.

Where did Prince Philip die?

• He died at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021 (Boston University).
• His funeral was held at St. George’s Chapel on April 17, 2021, with only 30 mourners due to COVID-19 protocols (CBS News).

Why this matters: The decision to record “old age” as the cause reflects the peaceful end to a public life that spanned 99 years.

How much money did Prince Philip leave?

Did Prince Philip leave a will?

• Prince Philip’s will was sealed by a High Court judge in 2021 for 90 years, a practice applied to senior royals (ABC News Australia noted the tradition of sealing royal wills).
• Royal experts estimate his personal wealth at around £30 million, though the exact figure has never been officially disclosed.

Who were the beneficiaries?

• The beneficiaries are not publicly known due to the sealed will. His estate is expected to be largely inherited by his children, with the bulk passing to Prince Charles.

The trade-off: Sealing the will preserves privacy but fuels public curiosity about the family’s wealth.

Who was unfaithful first, Diana or Charles?

What evidence is there about infidelity?

• Both Prince Charles and Princess Diana admitted to extramarital affairs in their separate interviews and through biographer Andrew Morton’s book, Diana: Her True Story (People covered the couple’s marital difficulties).
• The timeline of who was unfaithful first remains disputed, with both sides offering conflicting accounts.

How did Prince Philip react to the marital issues?

• Prince Philip reportedly tried to mediate between Charles and Diana, writing letters to Diana after the separation and urging a resolution (Us Weekly highlighted Philip’s role as a mediator within the family).

What this means: The infidelity debate overshadows the deeper question of how the royal family handled personal crises behind closed doors.

Did Elizabeth cry when Philip died?

What did the Queen say after his death?

• The Queen said of Philip: “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years,” a line she first used in a 1997 Golden Wedding anniversary speech (CBS News reported the Queen’s tribute during the funeral coverage).
• In a private remark, she described her grief as a “gap” in her life.

How did the public react?

• The public lined the streets of Windsor to pay respects, and a minute’s silence was observed across the UK (CBS News covered the public mourning).
• The Queen did not weep in public, but her composed demeanour at the funeral was widely noted.

The pattern: The Queen’s public restraint mirrored the stoic tradition of the monarchy, while private grief remained out of view.

Quotes that define Prince Philip’s relationships

“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay.”

— Queen Elizabeth II, Golden Wedding anniversary speech, 1997 (CBS News)

“You can’t go on like this.”

— Prince Philip to Diana, as reported by biographers (People)

“He told me to take it slowly.”

— Prince Harry, referencing his grandfather’s advice about Meghan (Us Weekly)

Summary: The complicated legacy of Prince Philip

Prince Philip served the Crown with unflinching dedication for 73 years, but his personal relationships reveal a more complex figure. He welcomed newcomers like Diana and Meghan, only to see tensions escalate into public crises. The lack of full transparency around his will and personal conversations leaves room for speculation. For the British monarchy, the lesson is clear: the institution’s survival depends on balancing tradition with the human realities of family, or risk repeating the same fractures.

For a deeper look at his decades of service and lasting influence, Prince Philips life and legacy offers a thorough overview.

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