5 Decades Of Whispers: Unmasking The Truth Behind Prince Philip's Alleged Affairs

The marriage of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the longest in British history, spanning 73 years. Yet, for nearly as long, their union was plagued by persistent, often sensational, rumors of infidelity on the part of the Duke. As of this December 2025, new historical research and the slow declassification of documents continue to fuel the curiosity surrounding the Duke’s private life, revealing the specific women and scandalous events his name was linked to.

The question of whether Prince Philip was unfaithful remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the modern monarchy. While no definitive, irrefutable evidence of a physical affair has ever been produced, the sheer volume and high-profile nature of the allegations have cemented the narrative in the public consciousness, forcing historians and biographers to constantly re-examine the evidence and the nature of his close friendships.

The Women and the Whispers: Five Persistent Allegations

Prince Philip’s life was meticulously documented, yet the details of his private friendships were often shrouded in secrecy, creating a fertile ground for speculation. The rumors of his infidelity were not vague; they centered on specific, high-profile women, each story reflecting a different era of his long life. The following are the five most persistent and sensational allegations that have followed the Duke of Edinburgh for decades.

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1. Pat Kirkwood: The Showgirl Scandal of the 1940s

The earliest and perhaps most damaging rumor linked Prince Philip to the West End star Pat Kirkwood. In 1948, shortly after the birth of Prince Charles, Philip reportedly met the singer and dancer after her headlining performance in London. The two were said to have spent a night out together, culminating in a late-night visit to her dressing room.

• The Allegation: That Prince Philip spent the night with the glamorous showgirl while Queen Elizabeth (then Princess Elizabeth) was pregnant or had just given birth.
• The Response: Pat Kirkwood consistently and vehemently denied the allegations throughout her life, stating that the rumor "ruined her life." She maintained that their relationship was not intimate.
• The Aftermath: The scandal was so pervasive that Philip's private secretary felt compelled to write to Kirkwood, stating that the rumors were "untrue, unfair, and cruelly damaging." The persistent gossip cemented the public’s early perception of the Duke as a restless, possibly unfaithful husband.

2. The FBI Files and the Profumo Affair

One of the most recent and explosive revelations, brought to light by declassified documents, connects Prince Philip to the 1963 Profumo Affair, a major sex and espionage scandal that rocked the British establishment.

Newly released FBI memos revealed that the Duke of Edinburgh was named in top-secret US documents. The papers contained a rumor that Philip was "personally 'involved'" with Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies, the two women at the center of the scandal. Keeler and Rice-Davies were linked to both the British Secretary of State for War, John Profumo, and a Soviet naval attaché, making the affair a national security crisis.

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While the FBI document only cites a rumor passed on to them, the very mention of a sitting consort in connection with such a high-stakes sex scandal—later a central plot point in the series The Crown—added a new, darker dimension to the decades-old rumors of his indiscretions.

3. Susan Barrantes: A Royal Biographer’s Claim

In a more recent claim, a royal historian alleged that Prince Philip had a romantic relationship with Susan Barrantes, the mother of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. The relationship was alleged to have occurred long before Barrantes became the mother-in-law of Philip’s son, Prince Andrew.

This claim, put forward by a royal biographer, is one of the more unique allegations, as Susan Barrantes was a long-time fixture in the royal circle. Like many claims of royal infidelity, it relies on historical testimony and circumstantial evidence rather than concrete proof, but it adds another name to the extensive list of women linked to the Duke over his lifetime.

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4. Penny Knatchbull: The 'Best Friend' Relationship

In the later decades of his life, no relationship drew more attention than Prince Philip's exceptionally close friendship with Penelope "Penny" Knatchbull (later Countess Mountbatten of Burma). Penny was 32 years Philip’s junior, and her husband, Norton Knatchbull, is Philip’s godson and a grandson of Philip's uncle, Louis Mountbatten.

• The Nature of the Bond: Their friendship deepened significantly following a family tragedy in 1991, and they shared a profound bond over their mutual passion for carriage driving, a sport Philip championed.
• The Public Perception: Penny became one of Philip’s most trusted confidantes and a constant presence at royal events, so much so that she was often referred to as his "Keeper of Secrets." This closeness, especially given the age gap, "raised a few eyebrows and sparked quite a few whispers" in the media.
• The Conclusion: While the relationship was undoubtedly intense and emotionally intimate, it is widely described by royal experts as a deep, platonic friendship, not a physical affair. Penny was one of the few non-family members invited to his intimate funeral in 2021, underscoring the sincerity of their lifelong bond.

5. Other Notorious Names and Entities

Beyond the primary figures, Prince Philip’s name was linked to numerous other women over the years, often without any credible evidence, including:

• Hélène Cordet: A close childhood friend, a Greek cabaret star. Rumors about her were particularly strong when she named Philip as the godfather to her two children, though she always dismissed the infidelity claims as "ludicrous."
• Katie Boyle: A popular TV presenter and celebrity.
• Daphne du Maurier: The celebrated novelist, who was married to a member of the royal household.
• The Thursday Club: Philip was a founding member of this all-male, bohemian lunch club in the 1940s and 50s, which met discreetly in Soho. The club’s reputation for late-night revelry and mingling with artists and performers further fueled speculation about the Duke’s activities away from the palace.

The Royal Code of Silence: Why the Truth Remains Elusive

The enduring mystery surrounding Prince Philip's alleged affairs is a testament to the effectiveness of the royal family’s "never complain, never explain" ethos. While the rumors were a constant feature of their marriage, both the Queen and the Duke maintained a stoic silence, which arguably allowed the rumors to persist and even grow.

For decades, the standard royal response to any mention of infidelity was a denial of any concrete proof. Royal biographers, including Sarah Bradford, have noted that while the Duke was known to have a "roving eye" and enjoyed the company of attractive women, there is "no evidence" to suggest he ever physically cheated on the Queen.

The relationship between Elizabeth and Philip was complex. It was a partnership built on mutual respect, shared duty, and a deep, enduring affection that withstood the test of public scrutiny. The Duke of Edinburgh often sought refuge from the constraints of palace life through his friendships and interests, providing him with a necessary emotional and intellectual outlet. Whether these outlets ever crossed the line into physical infidelity remains unproven, but the fact is that the Queen and Prince Philip’s marriage survived every rumor, scandal, and allegation until his death, a powerful testament to their bond.