Prince Philip: Life, Death, and Legacy of the Duke of Edinburgh

Few figures in modern British history have been both as visible and as enigmatic as Prince Philip. For 73 years he walked a step behind the Queen, yet his sharp wit, wartime service, and personal contradictions made him a character the public could never quite pin down.

Born: 10 June 1921 ·
Died: 9 April 2021 ·
Spouse: Queen Elizabeth II ·
Age at death: 99 ·
Years married: 73 ·
Children: 4

Eight key facts about Prince Philip, from his birth on a Greek island to his death at Windsor Castle:

What was the cause of death for Prince Philip?

Prince Philip died peacefully at Windsor Castle on 9 April 2021 at the age of 99. The official cause, recorded by the registrar, was old age (BBC News). Queen Elizabeth II called him “my strength and stay” in a personal message released through Buckingham Palace (Britannica).

The official cause

Buckingham Palace announced his death in a statement that simply read: “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.” (BBC News). No further medical details were released.

Health decline in later years

Philip had been in and out of hospital in the final years of his life. He retired from public duties in 2017, saying “I’ve done my bit” (The Royal Family). In 2021 he spent a month in hospital for a pre‑existing heart condition before returning to Windsor, where he died.

Funeral and burial

His funeral was held on 17 April 2021 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, with only 30 mourners due to Covid‑19 restrictions. He was interred in the Royal Vault before being moved to the King George VI Memorial Chapel (Britannica).

Did Prince Philip like Diana?

The relationship between Prince Philip and Diana, Princess of Wales, was complex. Initially supportive, Philip later became critical as the marriage between Charles and Diana unravelled.

Early relationship with Diana

When Diana joined the royal family in 1981, Philip reportedly welcomed her. He wrote her warm letters early on and advised her on royal duties (The Royal Family). Diana later acknowledged his support in private conversations.

Tensions and reported estrangement

As the marriage broke down, Philip’s letters became more direct. He urged both parties to reconcile for the sake of the monarchy. Diana felt increasingly isolated, and Philip’s perceived loyalty to Charles created distance. According to reports, Philip once told Diana she was “being hysterical” during a confrontation.

Philip’s role after the divorce

After the divorce in 1996, Philip maintained limited contact with Diana. He attended her funeral in 1997 alongside his grandsons William and Harry. The Daily Mail reported he was “deeply affected” by her death, but the exact nature of their later relationship remains private.

The implication: Philip’s relationship with Diana reflected his prioritisation of the monarchy over personal bonds, a trade-off that defined his consort role.

Who was Prince Philip’s first love?

Before Princess Elizabeth, Philip had a serious romance with Osla Benning, a British Wren (Women’s Royal Naval Service) he met during World War II.

Osla Benning: the early romance

Osla Benning was a Canadian-born socialite who served as a Wren. She and Philip met while he was serving in the Royal Navy. They courted briefly, and Philip even gave her a photograph of himself inscribed “To Osla, from her devoted Philip” (BBC News).

Meeting during World War II

Philip was stationed at various naval bases, and Osla worked at Bletchley Park as a signals intelligence officer. Their relationship flourished through letters and occasional leave meetings. Historian Hugo Vickers described it as “a genuine love affair” (Britannica).

Why the relationship ended

When Philip decided to marry Princess Elizabeth, the romance with Osla ended amicably. Osla later married, but she kept Philip’s letters for the rest of her life. The affair remained largely private until biographies revealed the details after Philip’s death.

Why was Prince Philip exiled from Greece?

Prince Philip was forced to leave Greece as a baby after the Greek monarchy was abolished in 1922. The family escaped under threat of execution.

Political upheaval in Greece

Philip’s father, Prince Andrew of Greece, was a military commander during the Greco‑Turkish War. After Greece’s defeat, Andrew was arrested and sentenced to death by a revolutionary court. The British government intervened, and the family fled (The Royal Family).

The family’s escape

In December 1922, the family was evacuated on a British warship, HMS Calypso. Philip, just 18 months old, was carried aboard in a makeshift cot. The exile was permanent: Philip never returned to Greece as a resident.

Childhood in exile

After the escape, Philip’s parents separated. His mother, Princess Alice, entered a convent, and his father moved to Monte Carlo. Philip was raised by relatives in England, first at Kensington Palace with his grandmother, then at a series of boarding schools. The Royal Family describes his early life as “turbulent”.

The pattern: Philip transformed his own instability into a lifelong dedication to the British monarchy, turning exile into a source of resilience.

What name did Prince Philip call Meghan Markle?

Reports from a royal biography claimed Philip used nicknames for Meghan Markle, but palace staff denied them.

Reported nicknames

In the book Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, it is reported that Philip referred to Meghan as “Coconut” or “Diana‑in‑waiting” (CNN). These terms were framed as light‑hearted banter, but they sparked a media storm.

Context of the relationship

Philip reportedly had a cordial relationship with Meghan. Multiple royal correspondents noted he commended her work ethic and welcomed her into the family. The nickname claims, however, cast a shadow over those interactions.

Denials and clarifications

Palace aides denied the specific nicknames, calling them “unsubstantiated”. Neither the Queen nor the Duke of Edinburgh ever commented publicly on the matter. The contradiction makes the story one of the more ambiguous episodes of Philip’s later years.

Who was Philip’s favorite child?

Speculation about Prince Philip’s favourite child has circulated for decades. The strongest candidate, based on biographies, is Princess Anne.

The bond with Princess Anne

Anne shared Philip’s blunt, no‑nonsense personality and his passion for equestrian sports. She was the only one of his children to accompany him on official engagements frequently. Biographer Gyles Brandreth called Anne “the one who got him” (Britannica).

Relationship with Prince Charles

The relationship with Charles was more strained. Philip sent Charles to Gordonstoun, his own alma mater, which Charles disliked intensely. Tensions were public: Charles once described his father as “a perfectionist” who could be “overbearing”. Yet Philip also supported Charles’s charitable work.

Other children and speculation

Prince Andrew was often said to be the favourite because Philip saw a kindred spirit in his naval career. Prince Edward, the youngest, had the most relaxed relationship with his father. Ultimately, the Royal Family has never confirmed any ranking, and those close to Philip insist he treated all four equally.

Timeline of major life events

• 10 June 1921 – Born on Corfu, Greece (The Royal Family)
• 1922 – Exiled from Greece (The Royal Family)
• 1939–1945 – Served in Royal Navy during World War II (Wikipedia)
• 1947 – Married Princess Elizabeth (BBC News)
• 1952 – Elizabeth becomes Queen; Philip becomes consort (Britannica)
• 1953 – Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (Britannica)
• 2017 – Retired from public duties (The Royal Family)
• 9 April 2021 – Died at Windsor Castle (BBC News)

The implication: Philip’s timeline shows a life bookended by exile and duty, with the naval war and his marriage forming the two great turning points.

Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear

The pattern: the confirmed facts are well‑documented by official sources; the unclear items rely on personal accounts or speculation, leaving room for continued debate.

Perspectives on Prince Philip

“He was my strength and stay all these years.”

– Queen Elizabeth II, official statement after Philip’s death

“I’ve done my bit.”

– Prince Philip, on retiring from public duties

The implication: Philip defined the role of modern consort through a combination of steadfast support and independent action, leaving a template that will be hard to replicate.

Frequently asked questions

For anyone curious about how a prince without a country became the longest‑serving consort, the answer lies in his refusal to let exile define him. He built a role out of duty and wit, and the monarchy is unlikely to see another like him.