Prince Philip death: How the Duke of Edinburgh spent his final days at Windsor Castle
Steadfast until his last breath, Prince Philip spent his final three weeks leading an “ordinary, non-palace life” at Windsor Castle.
Upon his return from a lengthy stint in hospital three weeks ago, a defiant Prince Philip wanted to savour life’s simple pleasures.
Setting up at Windsor Castle, where he and Queen Elizabeth II have spent most of their time during the coronavirus pandemic, the 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh was eager to be rid of routines that were par for the course of a royal life he’d been accustomed for seven decades.
Steadfast in his pursuit to take care of his own wellbeing, despite his frailty, royal insiders say Philip was largely trying to manage his own affairs.
This included dressing himself in a shirt, jumper, trousers and shoes when he felt well enough to leave his room, refusing to wear a hearing aid and cancelling his 7.30am morning tea tray in bed so he was able to dine with the Queen at leisure.
In one instance, according to the Daily Mail, the royal dropped his reading glasses as a servant rushed to collect them for him. “Never mind,” he said. “I’ll do it”. He was “calmer and quieter”, the insider added.
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He used a walking stick as a means to freely move around, occasionally having to be pushed in a wheelchair, which he despised. An insider told the publication, “When it first appeared in the private rooms he shouted: ‘Get that bloody thing out of my sight!’.”
Though he was sleeping much of the day, where there were photo frames of his wife and mother on his bedside table, Philip and his Queen still managed to take precious time together to smell the roses of their pristine surrounds.
On pleasant days, Philip would sit draped in a blanket on a chair on the veranda, having naps in the sunshine. He also enjoyed reading and writing letters, and was as of recently still speaking to loved ones on the phone.
He was adamant this was where he wanted to be. “When he came back to Windsor he said he was not going back to any hospital. No fuss was the constant refrain,” an insider added.
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Philip died “peacefully” at home yesterday three weeks after a four-week stay at King Edward VII Hospital in London, where he underwent heart surgery.
“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,” the royal family said in a statement released at noon UK time.
Philip officially retired from royal life in 2017.
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Strict instructions for British mourners
Mourners have laid flowers and tributes at Buckingham Palace following news of Philip’s death.
But as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact normal daily life in the UK, palace aides have asked the public to avoid gathering in large crowds.
“With the safety and wellbeing of the public in mind, and in accordance with government guidelines, members of the public are asked not to gather in crowds,” Buckingham Palace said.
“Those wishing to express their condolences are asked to do so in the safest way possible, and not to gather at Royal Residences.”
A cabinet office spokesman requested “floral tributes should not be laid at Royal Residences at this time”.
The public can sign an online condolence book. The royal family asked that people consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving floral tributes in memory of the duke.
Prince Philip’s funeral
As the news of his death was announced, a number of traditions began to take place. The Union Jack, the British flag, was lowered to half mast at Buckingham Palace while an official statement of the death was placed on the palace gates.
The funeral will not be a state funeral and the consort’s body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the intimate funeral in St George’s Chapel in Windsor, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married in 2018.
The Prince will receive a relatively private funeral in line with both the coronavirus pandemic and his own wishes.
British media reports the funeral is likely to take place next Saturday.
“The funeral will not be a State Funeral and will not be preceded by a Lying-in-State. His Royal Highness’s body will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel. This is in line with custom and with His Royal Highness’s wishes.”
“The funeral arrangements have been revised in view of the prevailing circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and it is regretfully requested that members of the public do not attempt to attend or participate in any of the events that make up the funeral.”
World’s reaction to Prince Philip’s death
Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell website has been transformed into a page paying tribute to Philip.
“In loving memory of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Thank you for your service … you will be greatly missed,” the page read.
Philip’s death may prompt Harry and Meghan to return to the UK for the first time since March of 2020, when they left after stepping back from their duties as senior working members of the royal family.
“Harry will absolutely do his utmost to get back to the UK and be with his family,” a source close to the family told The Daily Mail.
“He will want nothing more than to be there for his family, and particularly his grandmother, during this awful time.”
Governor-General Hurley, the Queen’s representative in Australia, said it was his “solemn and melancholy duty” to announce the death to Australians.
“As we mourn, we should also reflect and give thanks for His Royal Highness’ lifetime of service, devotion and commitment.
“And commitment to the Commonwealth and the many hundreds of organisations – including many here in Australia – of which he served as Patron and for whom he was a passionate advocate and supporter.”
Mr Hurley said Prince Philip had visited Australia 21 times.
The Prime Minister has extended his “deepest sympathies and condolences” to Queen Elizabeth following the death of Prince Philip.
Scott Morrison described news of the loss as a “very sad day”, crediting the Duke of Edinburgh for a lifetime of duty and service.
He said Prince Philip was widely admired for his “candour, and a unique, forceful and authentic personality”.
“With his passing, we say farewell to another of the greatest generation,” the Prime Minister said on Saturday morning from Kirribilli House.
“But above all, today, we think of our Queen.”
Former US President Barack Obama praised Prince Philip’s “sharp wit and good humour” in a touching tribute, admitting he “didn’t know what to expect” before their first meeting.
“When we first met His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, he and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had already been on the world stage for more than half a century — welcoming leaders like Churchill and Kennedy; Mandela and Gorbachev. As two Americans unaccustomed to palaces and pomp, we didn’t know what to expect,” he wrote today.
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