Prince Philip: Life, Death, and Relationships with Diana & Harry

Few men have spent seven decades standing one step behind the throne, yet Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was never just a supporting figure. He was a naval officer, a family patriarch, and a man whose blunt remarks sometimes stole headlines. This article separates confirmed facts from speculation around his life, his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II, and his relationships with Diana, Charles, and Harry.

Full Name: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh ·
Born: 10 June 1921, Corfu, Greece ·
Died: 9 April 2021, Windsor Castle, England ·
Spouse: Queen Elizabeth II (m. 1947) ·
Children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, Edward ·
Years as Consort: 69 (1952–2021)

Seven key facts about Prince Philip, drawn from official sources and reputable biographies, give a clear picture of the man behind the title.

Did Prince Philip like Diana?

The relationship between Prince Philip and Diana, Princess of Wales, evolved over time. Initially, Philip reportedly had a cordial relationship with his daughter-in-law. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica (academic reference), Diana married Charles in 1981 and was warmly welcomed into the royal family. But tensions arose after the breakdown of the marriage. Philip’s letters to Diana, published after her death, show a mix of affection and frustration.

Who was unfaithful first, Diana or Charles?

Both parties have acknowledged infidelity. Charles rekindled his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles in the 1980s, while Diana had an affair with James Hewitt starting around 1989, as reported by Encyclopaedia Britannica (academic reference). The precise timeline of who strayed first remains disputed, but the marriage was effectively over by the early 1990s.

Which royal refused to go to Diana’s funeral?

This claim is false. The suggestion that Prince Philip or the Queen refused to attend Diana’s funeral has been widely debunked. The Royal Family (official monarchy website) confirms that both Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II attended the funeral on 6 September 1997. In fact, Philip walked alongside Diana’s sons, William and Harry, in the funeral procession.

Did Elizabeth and Philip have a happy marriage?

Married for 73 years, the union between Elizabeth and Philip was widely considered a strong partnership. In a speech marking their 50th anniversary, the Queen called Philip her “strength and stay” (Encyclopaedia Britannica (academic reference)). Philip himself once quipped, “The secret of a happy marriage is to have a tolerant wife.”

Why did the Queen make Philip a prince?

Philip was granted the title Prince of the United Kingdom on 22 February 1957 via Letters Patent issued by the Queen. According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), this was done to honor his status as the monarch’s consort, though he had been created Duke of Edinburgh in 1947.

Did Elizabeth cry when Philip died?

This is a private moment not publicly documented. The Queen’s official statement after Philip’s death was restrained, calling him her “beloved husband.” Reports from palace insiders, cited by BBC News (UK public broadcaster), suggest she was deeply affected, but no confirmed account of her crying exists.

What was the cause of death for Prince Philip?

Prince Philip died on 9 April 2021 at Windsor Castle, aged 99. His death certificate, released by the BBC News (UK public broadcaster), listed the cause of death as “old age.” He had been hospitalized earlier that year for a pre-existing heart condition but was discharged in March.

How old was Prince Philip when he died?

He was 99 years old. He was born on 10 June 1921, making him 99 years and 10 months at the time of his death (Encyclopaedia Britannica (academic reference)).

What was Prince Philip’s warning to Harry about Meghan?

According to the biography Rebel Prince by Tom Bower, Prince Philip reportedly warned Prince Harry about marrying Meghan Markle with the phrase: “One steps out with actresses; one doesn’t marry them.” This claim has not been officially confirmed. Encyclopaedia Britannica (academic reference) notes that Philip had a reputation for off-color remarks, but the veracity of this specific quote remains uncertain.

The implication: if true, it reflects Philip’s traditionalist views on royal marriages, but the lack of primary source confirmation places it in the category of reported but unverified.

What was Prince Philip’s DNA?

Prince Philip’s DNA played a key role in identifying the remains of the Romanov family, the last imperial family of Russia, who were executed in 1918. Philip was a grandson of Princess Alice of Battenberg, who was a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria. This mitochondrial DNA link allowed scientists to match Philip’s DNA with the remains of the Romanovs. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica (academic reference), the identification was confirmed in the 1990s. His specific blood type and genetic markers are not publicly documented in detail.

Quotes from the source

“The secret of a happy marriage is to have a tolerant wife.”

— Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Encyclopaedia Britannica (academic reference))

“He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments. He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.”

— Queen Elizabeth II, in a speech marking their 50th wedding anniversary (Encyclopaedia Britannica (academic reference))

For the Royal Family, the implication is clear: the public narrative around Prince Philip will always be a mix of documented service and whispered family drama. The lesson for a modern monarchy is that transparency about relationships — even difficult ones — builds trust. For Harry and William, the challenge is to separate their grandfather’s legacy from the gossip that surrounds the institution.

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Alex ChenStaff Writer

Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.