As Prince Philip turns 97, he quietly slips away from the public eye

Prince Philip at Hillsborough House in 2015. Source: Northern Ireland Office via Wikimedia

Prince Philip turned 97 recently, but we didn't hear grand celebration. After all he’s retired from public duties and has quietly slipped away through his retirement.  Even during his active years, the Duke wasn’t keen on celebrating his big day and would rather maintain a round of royal engagements. His absence in the recent Trooping the Colour ceremony, where The Queen was seen travelling alone down the Mall, was picked by the press and netizens.  But for a man who has freed himself from the hectic pace of public service, we can expect the prince to be comfortably seated in one of the rooms at Buckingham Palace and quietly watching the ceremony on television. 

Prince Philip’s retirement was announced May last year, performing royal functions and attending invitations until August.  Until then, he was one of the busiest members of the Royal Family, carrying out a huge number of engagements in support of The Queen.  To date, he has carried out a total of 21, 191 solo engagements and delivered 5,493 speeches.

Since then, he has only graced family gatherings.

Weeks before the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last April, news broke of the Duke’s hip replacement and it was speculated that he might not attend the royal wedding. But show up, he did! He arrived together with the Queen at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, waving to the crowds at Windsor Castle. Dressed in a morning suit, he emerged from the car as if he didn’t get any hip surgery.

Prince Philip today spends most of his time in Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, away from the prying eye of the press. Here he enjoys the quiet farm life and he has now more time to read, paint watercolours and invite friends to stay. While this means more time away from the Queen, who resides in Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty knows that after all the years of hard work, Prince Philip, after all, deserves a break.

P.S.

Here are some interesting articles about Prince Philip.

Royal Profile: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
64 Unforgettable Quotes from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip’s Retirement Causes Fear Among Villagers in Vanuatu who Consider him as a God 
As Prince Philip Retires, the Show Goes on for the Royal Family
Prince Philip turns 92 – a look back at a royal birth
At 96, Prince Philip to Retire from Public Duties