Prince Philip: Life, Death, and Key Relationships

There’s a reason Prince Philip remains one of the most talked-about figures in modern British history: he spent seven decades as the Queen’s consort, yet he never quite fit the mold of a royal sidekick. From his blunt remarks to his reported letters to Princess Diana, his personality often broke through the palace walls — this article traces his journey from a Greek-born prince to the longest-serving consort, focusing on the relationships that defined him and the facts often lost in tabloid noise.

Years as consort: 70 (1952–2022) ·
Age at death: 99 ·
Solo royal engagements: 22,219 ·
Number of children: 4 ·
Number of great-grandchildren (at death): 12

The following table summarizes key biographical data about Prince Philip.

What was the cause of death for Prince Philip?

Official cause of death announced by Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Philip died peacefully at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, at the age of 99. The official cause of death was recorded as “old age,” according to Britannica (encyclopedia). The announcement came from the palace in a brief statement that said he “passed away peacefully” that morning.

Circumstances of his passing at Windsor Castle

Philip had been at Windsor Castle with the Queen during the COVID-19 lockdown. He had been admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London in February 2021 for a pre-existing condition and later transferred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital for a heart procedure. He returned to Windsor on March 16, 2021, and died less than a month later. ABC News (U.S. news network) reported that the Queen described his death as having “left a huge void in her life.”

The upshot: For a man who spent 70 years in public service, the quiet end at Windsor — away from cameras — felt fitting. The palace’s decision to record “old age” as the cause avoided the kind of medical speculation that often surrounds royal deaths.

Did Prince Philip like Diana?

Relationship with Diana early in her marriage to Charles

Early in Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles, Philip reportedly had a warm relationship with his daughter-in-law. Letters between Philip and Diana, released after her death, showed he was at times supportive of her, according to WTTW (public television station). In one letter, Philip wrote to Diana after her separation from Charles, expressing sympathy and offering support.

Later years and reported tensions

The relationship became more strained after Charles and Diana’s separation became public. Philip was protective of the monarchy and reportedly urged Diana to reconcile with Charles. However, the letters suggest he maintained a degree of personal warmth toward her even during the difficult years. The full extent of their relationship remains a matter of interpretation, as many private exchanges have not been made public.

The paradox: Philip’s letters to Diana reveal a man who could be both a stern defender of the institution and a sympathetic father figure. The tension between those two roles defined much of his public life.

Who was Prince Philip’s first love?

Cricket and early romantic interests before Elizabeth

Before meeting Princess Elizabeth, Philip had several early romantic interests. One name that surfaces in biographies is Hélène Foufounis, a Greek woman he reportedly knew during his youth. Another early connection was with a woman named Osla Benning, a Canadian heiress he dated while serving in the Royal Navy. These relationships were brief and ended as Philip’s life took him toward the British royal family.

Relationship with Princess Elizabeth

Philip met Princess Elizabeth in July 1939 when she was 13 and he was 18, during a royal visit to the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. The meeting was arranged by King George VI, who wanted Elizabeth to meet the young naval cadet. They began a correspondence that lasted through the war years, and Philip proposed in 1946. Elizabeth accepted without consulting her parents, according to National WWII Museum (U.S. museum).

Why this matters: Philip’s early romantic life is often romanticized, but the facts show a young man who, like many of his generation, had relationships that ended when war and duty intervened. His marriage to Elizabeth was not his first love — but it was the one that defined his life.

Why did the Queen make Philip a prince?

Historical titles and royal prerogative

When Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, he was given the title Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich. He was not automatically a prince of the United Kingdom. Under British royal tradition, the husband of a reigning queen does not automatically become king — that title is reserved for the monarch. Philip remained a prince only by courtesy, as he was born a prince of Greece and Denmark.

Philip’s status and the 1957 Letters Patent

On February 22, 1957, Queen Elizabeth II issued Letters Patent granting Philip the title of Prince of the United Kingdom. The decision was made five years after her accession, and it formalized his status. Before that, he was known simply as the Duke of Edinburgh. The change was announced in the London Gazette and made Philip a prince in his own right, not just by courtesy. Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) notes that the title was “a mark of the Queen’s affection and recognition of his service.”

The catch: The 1957 Letters Patent solved a constitutional awkwardness: Philip was the Queen’s husband but had no formal title that reflected his role. The move was as much about protocol as it was about personal recognition.

What name did Prince Philip call Meghan Markle?

Reported nicknames and family dynamics

Reports about what Prince Philip called Meghan Markle vary. Some sources claim he called her “Meghan” or “Darlin'” in a warm, informal manner. Other reports suggest he used the nickname “Duchess of Windsor” as a joke, referencing Wallis Simpson — a comparison that would have been loaded with historical tension. However, these reports are not consistently documented in reliable sources. The most credible accounts, including those from ABC News (U.S. news network), indicate that Philip was reportedly welcoming to Meghan when she joined the royal family.

Context of their relationship

Philip and Meghan were photographed together at several royal events, including the 2018 Commonwealth Day service and the wedding of Princess Eugenie. There is no credible evidence of a problematic nickname being used by Philip toward Meghan. The reports that do exist are largely based on unnamed sources and should be treated with caution.

What to watch: The “Duchess of Windsor” nickname story is a classic example of how royal reporting can blur fact and speculation. Without a named source or documentary evidence, it remains in the realm of rumor.

What was Prince Philip’s age at death and his WWII service?

Age at death: 99

Prince Philip was 99 years and 303 days old when he died on April 9, 2021. He was the longest-living male member of the British royal family at the time of his death. Britannica (encyclopedia) records his birth date as June 10, 1921, and his death date as April 9, 2021.

Service in the Royal Navy during World War II

Philip’s WWII service is one of the most documented parts of his life. He enrolled at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in 1939 and served on multiple ships during the war, according to National WWII Museum (U.S. museum). He fought at the Battle of Cape Matapan on March 28, 1941, where he was commended for his alertness while operating a searchlight. He also saw action in Operation Husky in July 1943 and attended the Japanese surrender aboard USS Missouri on September 2, 1945. Philip left active military service when Elizabeth became queen in 1952.

The trade-off: Philip’s naval career was cut short by his marriage to the Queen. He went from being a promising young officer to a consort whose primary duty was supporting his wife. The transition was not always smooth, but it produced one of the longest records of public service in British history.

Timeline: Key events in Prince Philip’s life

• 1921: Born on the island of Corfu, Greece (Britannica (encyclopedia))
• 1939: Enrolled at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth (National WWII Museum (U.S. museum))
• 1947: Married Princess Elizabeth on November 20 (National WWII Museum (U.S. museum))
• 1952: Elizabeth ascends throne; Philip becomes consort (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 1957: Queen makes Philip a Prince of the United Kingdom (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2021: Died at Windsor Castle (ABC News (U.S. news network))

These milestones trace a path from exile to the heart of the British monarchy, with each step reshaping his role.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Prince Philip died of old age on April 9, 2021 (Britannica (encyclopedia))
• He held the title Prince of the United Kingdom from 1957 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• He served in WWII in the Royal Navy (National WWII Museum (U.S. museum))
• He married Queen Elizabeth II in 1947 (National WWII Museum (U.S. museum))

What’s unclear

• Exact nature of his relationship with Diana beyond public reports
• Specific nickname used for Meghan Markle is disputed among sources
• Exact details of early romantic interests before Elizabeth are based on limited biographical accounts
• Full text of Philip’s letters to Diana has not been released, limiting public understanding

The line between confirmed and uncertain highlights how much of Philip’s inner life remains private, even after decades in the public eye.

Quotes and perspectives

“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.”

— Buckingham Palace announcement, April 9, 2021 (ABC News (U.S. news network))

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

— Queen Elizabeth II, in a speech marking her Golden Jubilee, 2002 (Britannica (encyclopedia))

“My father was a very special person who I think would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him.”

— Prince Charles, in a statement after Philip’s death, April 2021 (ABC News (U.S. news network))

Summary

Prince Philip’s life was a study in contradictions: a prince without a throne, a naval officer who never commanded a ship in peacetime, a consort who outlasted every predecessor. His relationships with Diana and Meghan Markle reveal a man who could be both warm and guarded, supportive and institutional. For the British royal family, the lesson is clear: Philip’s legacy is not just in the 22,219 solo engagements or the 785 patronages, but in the way he navigated a role that had no blueprint. For anyone studying the modern monarchy, the choice is between seeing him as a relic of a bygone era or as the architect of a consort role that will shape how future generations understand royal duty.

For a deeper look at his enduring impact, explore Prince Philips life and legacy in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

These questions answer common curiosities about a man whose public duties often overshadowed the personal details of his life.

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