Queen Elizabeth was “furious” Prince Philip died without saying goodbye to her.
The claim is made in a new biography that sheds light on the couple’s private life, health struggles and time in isolation before their deaths.
Elizabeth, who died aged 96 in 2022, and Philip, who passed away aged 99, are the focus of Queen Elizabeth II, an upcoming biography by Hugo Vickers.
His book draws on accounts from insiders and long-term observations to examine the monarch’s later years, including Philip’s declining health and their living arrangements after he stepped back from royal duties in August 2017.
According to the book, Philip had been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in 2013 and also underwent multiple heart procedures.
Following his retirement, he moved to Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, where he lived largely independently, while Elizabeth remained at Buckingham Palace and later Windsor Castle.
The book also details the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which the couple entered strict isolation together at Windsor, overseen by a reduced household staff.
Hugo wrote: “The Queen let the Duke do exactly as he pleased. He was at his happiest at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate.”
Hugo added Philip spent time reading, painting and carriage driving, and was frequently joined by his friend Penelope Knatchbull.
He wrote: “He enjoyed his carriage-driving, read voraciously and painted a little.”
Hugo also said: “From time to time, the Queen went up by train to Norfolk to stay the weekend. Once again, she gave him a loose rein. In a sense, they had separated.”
During the pandemic, Elizabeth and Philip were brought together at Windsor Castle, living in what staff referred to as “HMS Bubble”, a restricted environment with limited personnel.
Hugo wrote: “They entered a strict isolation, jokingly nicknamed HMS Bubble… nobody was allowed to enter the Upper Ward of the castle, and there were no ladies-in-waiting in attendance.”
The book also recounts Philip’s final months and death in 2021, describing his hospitalisation, declining memory and reluctance to reach his 100th birthday.
Hugo wrote: “He did not want to reach his 100th birthday, particularly disliking the fuss attendant at such events.”
The royal biographer also described Philip’s final night, writing: “He gave his nurses the slip, shuffled along the corridor on his Zimmer frame, 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.”
The biography also describes Elizabeth’s reaction to his death.
Hugo wrote: “She took the line, I was told, that she was ‘absolutely furious that, as so often in life, he left without saying goodbye’.”
In later passages, the book details Elizabeth’s reflections on her own mortality in conversations with her friend Prue Penn.
Hugo wrote Elizabeth said: “I feel as if I’m in the departure lounge.”
He added she remarked: “At least you don’t have to do it as publicly as me.”
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