Queen Elizabeth II Was By Prince Philip's Side When He Passed Away At Home In Windsor Castle

May 16, 2021 by apost team

The death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on April 9, 2021, sent the United Kingdom into mourning, especially ardent supporters of the British monarchy. The Queen's husband of over seven decades was a well-loved member of the royal family, but his death at the age of 99 comes after two months of ill health.

Philip's passing ends his reign as the longest-serving royal spouse, having served alongside Queen Elizabeth II for 65 years and having been married to the monarch for 73 years in total. Members of the family have described his passing as peaceful.

His last days were reportedly also as peaceful as could be as per a royal insider, who spoke to Daily Mail reporter Richard Kay. While Philip spent many of his last days resting and sleeping, he did find time to spend with his beloved wife, Elizabeth, despite her hectic schedule. Moreover, the insider reports that his failing health did not stop him from keeping true to himself, and it certainly did not affect how independent and dignified he was. Until the end, Philip remained the noble and steadfast man he has always known to be. 

New details have emerged since his passing about how Elizabeth was right by side up until the very end, and how she lent him support during the time. The 99-year-old royal died at the royal residence in Windsor and, according to sources close to the situation told The Telegraph that that's the way Philip wanted things. During the month that he was in the hospital, he wanted very much to just go back to his home. 

Richard Kay is the editor-at-large, a former top royal correspondent and gossip columnist at Daily Mail who often writes detailed stories about the royal family. After Philip's passing, he wrote an article that gave a clearer picture of Philip's final days at the castle. He spoke to many royal insiders, who had remained with Philip through his failing health. 

Though Philip had become less robust after his extended hospital stay in February 2021, his mere physical presence was a source of comfort and strength for the queen. 

While his mealtimes were set by a timetable earlier, they were accommodated to fit his appetite in the last few weeks, which had been little to none. However, Birmingham Mail reported that the meals he did want to have were moved so that he could have them with his wife whenever possible. Kay wrote that even though Philip spent much of his day sleeping, he was still able to enjoy time with his wife as there were "moments of great lucidity and joyful togetherness."

Even though he was "no longer the decisive man of action who had devoted a lifetime to supporting her, she was now able to repay him." 

On his good days, however, which were as recent as a few days before he passed, he would wear a shirt, pressed trousers and polished shoes, and even read and write letters. On warm days would ask for a chair to be brought outside so that he could sit in the sunshine with a blanket over his legs, where he would often doze off. 

apost.com

The Telegraph reported that Philip's passing was unexpected and sudden, but a royal source told the outlet that Elizabeth remained by his side until the very end. This was as Philip wanted, and the source went onto say that he did not want to pass away in the hospital he was admitted to. 

Prince Philip was admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Feb. 16 on a precautionary basis as he reportedly felt unwell. Following his admission, the prince underwent surgery for a heart condition. One month later on March 16, Buckingham Palace released a statement that announced the procedure was "successful." However, just less than one month after that, the Duke of Edinburgh would pass away at home with the Queen in Windsor Castle. The insider claimed that he wanted to pass away "in his own bed" and "on his own term" after his stint at the hospital. 

A royal source told the Telegraph, "He spent most of the four weeks he was in [the] hospital trying to get home. They operated on his heart in a bid to give him a little longer, maybe with the 100th birthday in mind. But he didn't really care about that," adding, "There is no way he would have wanted to die in hospital."

The Daily Mail also reported that Elizabeth "quickly dismissed" any suggestions of taking Philip to the hospital as his health declined rapidly on the Thursday night before his death. After his death, a royal source told Us Weekly that the queen personally called her children as well as some of her grandchildren, including Prince William and Prince Harry to inform them of his passing.   

What do you think of Queen Elizabeth being right by Prince Philip's side before his death? Tell us what you think of their enduring love, and be sure to let your loved ones know about Philip's poignant last days.