Queen Elizabeth Was 'Furious' She Wasn't at Prince Philip's Side When He Died
Queen Elizabeth Was 'Furious' She Wasn't at Prince Philip's Side When He Died
Laura Rizzo ChaganiWed, April 1, 2026 at 2:17 AM UTC
0
Queen Elizabeth II was not with Prince Philip in his final moments, according to a new biography about the monarch.
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers shares insights into Elizabeth’s life from close royal insiders in his upcoming book, Queen Elizabeth II, coming out in April. The biography also delves into Philip’s final days before his 2021 death, reporting that Elizabeth was not present the day he died.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s health began declining in 2013 when he was reportedly diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer, and in the following years, he had multiple heart procedures that impacted his health. He officially retired from his royal duties in August 2017, and "the Queen let the Duke do exactly as he pleased,” Vickers writes, per People.
RELATED: All the Palaces, Cottages, and Estates the British Royals Call Home
Philip relocated to Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, the secluded five-bedroom farmhouse where he was “happiest.”
During these years, Vickers claims Philip and Elizabeth lived "separate" lives. The Duke enjoyed leisure activities like carriage driving, reading, and painting, while his wife fulfilled her royal duties back at Buckingham Palace.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: (L-R) Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations for The Queen's 90th birthday at The Mall on June 12, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)Jeff Spicer/Getty Images (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
"From time to time, the Queen went up by train to Norfolk to stay the weekend. Once again, she gave him a loose rein,” Vickers says.
Things changed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Elizabeth relocated to Windsor Castle from Buckingham Palace and had Philip leave Wood Farm to join her. The elderly couple “entered strict isolation,” Vickers shares, adding their setup was “jokingly nicknamed HMS Bubble, by the Master of the Household, Tony Johnstone-Burt.”
“Nobody was allowed to enter the Upper Ward of the castle, and there were no ladies-in-waiting in attendance,” details Vickers, explaining that Elizabeth and Philip lived in just four rooms of the castle and were taken care of by a “skeleton staff, 22 in total.” The pair lived in isolation together for the remainder of the year, even skipping Christmas at Sandringham with other royal family members.
RELATED: All About Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's 4 Children
Philip was in and out of the hospital in early 2021, and he reportedly nearly died during heart surgery in March of that year. His inner circle also began to notice that his short-term memory was deteriorating, claims Vickers.
Advertisement
"He did not want to reach his 100th birthday, particularly disliking the fuss attendant at such events," according to the biography.
The night before he died, Vickers says Philip "gave his nurses the slip, shuffled along the corridor on his Zimmer frame (walker), helped himself to a beer and drank it in the Oak Room. The following morning, he got up, had a bath, said he did not feel well, and quietly slipped away."
Philip died on April 9, 2021, two months before his 100th birthday. He and Elizabeth had been married more than 73 years, the longest of any British royal couple in history. Sadly, she never had the opportunity to say her final farewell to her longtime companion.
"She took the line, I was told, that she was ‘absolutely furious that, as so often in life, he left without saying goodbye,’” Vickers writes.
RELATED: King Charles and Queen Camilla's Dramatic Relationship Timeline
Philip died at Windsor Castle three weeks after being discharged from the hospital. His passing was a quiet affair, which he would have probably appreciated.
"Due to COVID rules, the number of mourners at Philip's funeral was restricted to 30,” says Vickers. “Nothing would have delighted the Duke more than having such a pared-down farewell."
Elizabeth mourned her husband and sat alone in St. George's Chapel for the funeral service.
TOPSHOT - Queen Elizabeth II takes her seat for the funeral service of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh inside St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021. Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by Jonathan Brady / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images (JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Author Gyles Brandreth wrote more details about the monarch’s whereabouts at the time of Philip’s death in his book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait. Brandreth claimed Philip passed quickly, and there wasn’t enough time to get Elizabeth to his bedside.
"When he came back [from the bath], he said he felt a little faint and wanted help getting back into bed," the author wrote, per Daily Mirror. "The nurse called the Duke's valet and the Queen's page, Paul Whybrew, for help — and he died before the Queen could be called."
"The Queen wasn't yet up," said the book, noting Her Majesty was asleep in a separate room. "And she wasn't called until after a doctor had come and pronounced the Duke dead."
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
