5 Unforgettable Facts About Prince Philip's Death: The 'Old Age' Cause And The Queen's Six Heartbreaking Words

The passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on April 9, 2021, at the age of 99, marked the end of an era for the British Monarchy and left an irreplaceable void in the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The news, delivered by Buckingham Palace, confirmed that the longest-serving consort in British history "passed away peacefully" at Windsor Castle, just two months shy of his 100th birthday. While the public outpouring of grief was immense, the details surrounding his final days and the unique circumstances of his funeral—held during a national lockdown—reveal a profoundly personal and historic moment for the Royal Family. As of late 2025, the memory of Prince Philip's life and service continues to resonate, particularly as new details and reflections on Queen Elizabeth's final years without her "strength and stay" emerge. The official documentation of his death, the ceremonial procession, and the Queen's immediate return to duty paint a picture of a man whose life was defined by service, and a monarch whose duty transcended even the deepest personal loss.

The Life and Times of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: A Full Biography

Prince Philip was a figure of immense historical significance, known for his distinguished naval career, his tireless work ethic, and his role as the steadfast husband to the Queen for 73 years. His biography is a testament to a life spent in service, marked by a tumultuous early life and a commitment to his adopted country.

• Full Name: Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.
• Born: June 10, 1921, on the island of Corfu, Greece.
• Parents: Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg.
• Early Life: He was born into the Greek and Danish royal families but was exiled from Greece as an infant. He was educated in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (at Gordonstoun School).
• Naval Career: He joined the Royal Navy in 1939. He served with distinction during World War II, being mentioned in dispatches for his service on the battleship HMS Valiant in the Battle of Cape Matapan. He rose to the rank of Commander.
• Marriage: Married Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey. He renounced his Greek and Danish titles and became a naturalized British subject, adopting the surname Mountbatten.
• Titles: Created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich on the morning of his wedding. He was formally made a Prince of the United Kingdom in 1957.
• Children: King Charles III, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh.
• Public Service: He was the patron, president, or member of over 780 organizations and is most famous for establishing The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in 1956, a youth development program that has impacted millions globally.
• Retirement: He retired from public duties in August 2017, at the age of 96, having completed 22,219 solo engagements.
• Died: April 9, 2021, at Windsor Castle, England.

The Official Cause of Death and Final Days

The official announcement of Prince Philip’s death was simple and poignant: he "passed away peacefully" at Windsor Castle. However, the formal documentation, released weeks later, provided a detail that was both unusual for a public figure and deeply reflective of his long life.

The official cause of death for the Duke of Edinburgh was certified as "old age." This certification was issued by Sir Huw Thomas, the head of the Royal Medical Household. The decision to list "old age" is a medical recognition that the death was the result of the natural decline of the body over time, rather than a specific disease or injury. This was a detail that provided a sense of peace and finality to a life that had spanned nearly a century.

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Prior to his death, Prince Philip had been hospitalized in February 2021 for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition, undergoing a successful procedure. He was discharged from the hospital on March 16, 2021, and returned to Windsor Castle to spend his final weeks with the Queen. His peaceful passing at home, rather than in a hospital, was understood to be his personal wish, allowing him to be at the heart of the Royal Family estate. The Queen was not present when he died, but a former aide confirmed that her family would step up to support her.

The COVID-Restricted Funeral and the Queen's 'Huge Void'

Prince Philip's funeral, held on Saturday, April 17, 2021, was a profoundly unique event in royal history, shaped by the strict social distancing rules of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony, known by its code name Operation Forth Bridge, was a Royal Ceremonial Funeral, not a State Funeral, in line with the Duke's own wishes for a less ostentatious affair.

The defining feature of the day was the attendance limit: only 30 mourners were permitted inside St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. This small, intimate gathering meant that senior members of the Royal Family, including King Charles III, Prince William, and Prince Harry, were seated apart from one another, all wearing face masks. The iconic image of Queen Elizabeth II sitting alone in the choir stalls of the chapel, dressed in black, became a powerful symbol of the nation's shared experience of grief and isolation during the pandemic.

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The funeral procession itself was deeply personal, with the Duke’s coffin transported on a modified Land Rover Defender, which he had helped design over 16 years. Members of the Royal Family, including his four children, walked behind the coffin, a solemn tribute to his military and personal life. The ceremony honored his military service, with representatives from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Air Force participating in the procession.

Following the funeral, Prince Andrew revealed that the Queen had described her husband's death as leaving "a huge void" in her life. Later, it was revealed that the Queen's heartbreaking six words to describe her loss were that he had been her constant "strength and stay." Despite her personal sorrow, the Queen resumed her royal duties just four days after his passing, hosting a retirement ceremony at Windsor Castle, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to duty above all else.

The Enduring Legacy of the Longest-Serving Consort

Prince Philip's passing prompted a global re-evaluation of his complex and dynamic legacy. As the longest-serving royal consort in British history, his influence extended far beyond his role as the Queen’s husband. His contributions shaped the modern Royal Family and left an indelible mark on global youth development.

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His most significant and enduring contribution is arguably The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Since its inception in 1956, the program has challenged millions of young people across more than 130 countries to achieve personal goals through community service, physical activity, skills development, and adventurous journeys. This initiative alone cemented his status as a pioneer in youth empowerment and education.

Furthermore, the Duke was a passionate advocate for science, technology, and conservation. He served as the first President of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) UK from 1961 to 1982 and was an active environmentalist long before the cause became mainstream. His tireless work ethic was central to his identity, often performing thousands of solo engagements annually, quietly supporting the Monarchy from the periphery.

The Duke of Edinburgh was a man of contrasts—a war hero and a forward-thinking modernizer who also occasionally courted controversy with his off-the-cuff remarks. However, his profound loss was felt not just by the Queen, but by a nation that recognized his unwavering service to the Crown and Commonwealth for over seven decades. His death set the stage for the final chapter of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, a period where she carried on her duty while navigating the emotional landscape of profound personal grief. The enduring image of the Queen alone at his funeral remains a powerful testament to their 73-year partnership and the ultimate sacrifice of a life dedicated to service.