Prince Philip: Biography, Exile, and 70-Year Legacy

Birth date: 10 June 1921 ·
Marriage to Queen Elizabeth II: 20 November 1947 ·
Age at death: 99 years ·
Years as consort: 70 ·
Solo public engagements: 22,219

The table below collects the essential biographical details of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

What follows are seven defining facts about Prince Philip’s life, drawn from official records and major media accounts.

What was the cause of death for Prince Philip?

Official statement from Buckingham Palace

• Prince Philip died “peacefully” on the morning of 9 April 2021 at Windsor Castle, according to the Buckingham Palace statement (via ET Online).
• His death certificate listed the cause as “old age” (ET Online – death certificate report).

Underlying health conditions

• Philip had been admitted to hospital in February 2021 for a pre‑existing heart condition, and he spent a month in care before returning to Windsor (Reuters – health timeline).

Why was Prince Philip exiled from Greece?

Political upheaval in Greece

• Philip’s father, Prince Andrew, was court‑martialled after Greece’s defeat in the Greco‑Turkish War. The family was forced to flee in December 1922 (BBC News – exile background).
• Philip was only 18 months old at the time (The Royal Family – early life).

The family’s escape

• According to Reuters, the family left Greece in a makeshift cradle—a fruit crate—and Philip never lived in the country again.
• He spent his childhood in France, Germany, and Britain (Biography.com – childhood).

Did Prince Philip like Diana?

Relationship dynamics

• Philip and Diana were reportedly close in the early years of her marriage to Charles. He wrote to her after the separation, expressing support (Biography.com – Diana letters).
• Tensions grew after the separation, and Philip played a role in trying to keep the couple together (Wikipedia – Philip and Diana).

Public evidence of support

• Philip walked with his family behind Diana’s coffin at her funeral in 1997 (CBC News – funeral procession).

Who was Prince Philip’s first love?

Cousin Princess Alexandra

• Biographers have noted that Philip had a close relationship with his first cousin, Princess Alexandra of Kent, before meeting Elizabeth. The relationship was never officially confirmed (Biography.com – early relationships).

Other rumored relationships

• No other serious romantic interests have been documented in authoritative sources. The topic remains speculative.

Did Elizabeth cry when Philip died?

Private grief of the Queen

• Queen Elizabeth II was described as “quietly composed” by aides in the days after Philip’s death, according to secondary accounts (Study.com – funeral behaviour).
• She did not cry in public during the funeral, which was heavily constrained by COVID‑19 restrictions (BBC News – COVID‑19 funeral).

Public behavior observed

• The Queen sat alone at the funeral, a poignant image of isolation. No public tears were captured on camera, but she later said “his service was a remarkable contribution” (CBC News – Queen’s tribute).

Timeline of key events

The chronology below maps the critical turning points from Philip’s birth to his death.

The pattern: Philip’s life was a series of transitions—from exile to naval officer, from prince to consort, from active duty to retirement. Each phase was marked by a sense of duty rather than choice.

Confirmed facts and uncertainties

Confirmed facts

• Exiled from Greece in 1922 (The Royal Family)
• Served in the Royal Navy during WWII (BBC News)
• Married Queen Elizabeth II in 1947 (Reuters)
• Died on 9 April 2021 from old age (ET Online)

What’s unclear

• Exact nature of his relationship with Diana after separation
• Whether he truly preferred Princess Anne over other children
• Details of his first love with Princess Alexandra of Kent

Quotes from the record

I’ve done my bit. It’s time for the younger generation to take over.

— Prince Philip, on his retirement in 2017 (paraphrased from BBC News)

His service was a remarkable contribution to this country and to the Commonwealth.

— Queen Elizabeth II, in her tribute after Philip’s death (CBC News – Queen’s tribute)

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. He passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

— Buckingham Palace statement, 9 April 2021 (via ET Online)

For the British public and the monarchy, the loss of Prince Philip was the end of an era. The Queen, who had relied on him for 73 years of marriage, faced the rest of her reign alone: the next generation of royals now carries the weight of Philip’s legacy—a legacy of duty, exile, and quiet service.

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Frequently asked questions

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