Prince Philip was reportedly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer eight years before he died in April 2021 at the age of 99.
British biographer and historian Hugo Vickers shared the surprising revelation in his soon-to-be-released book, “Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History,” which Page Six reviewed.
“Doctors had detected a shadow on his pancreas, and had cut him right across his stomach,” Vickers writes. “The verdict was inoperable pancreatic cancer.”
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in a suit with military medals, commemorating VJ Day.8
Prince Philip (pictured here in 2005) was reportedly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer eight years before his death.Getty Images
Book cover for “Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History” by Hugo Vickers, featuring two black and white portraits of the Queen in formal attire.8
British biographer Hugo Vickers shared the revelation in his soon-to-be-released book, “Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History” (as seen here).Hodder & Stoughton
Vickers adds that it was believed Philip “might not be seen in public again” following his 2013 diagnosis, but the duke “outwitted the pessimists.”
Philip reportedly had a short stay at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk before returning to public duties in August 2013, according to Vickers.
Buckingham Palace didn’t immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, attends the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York to Jack Brooksbank.8
“Doctors had detected a shadow on his pancreas, and had cut him right across his stomach,” Vickers writes of Philip (pictured here in 2018). “The verdict was inoperable pancreatic cancer.”Getty Images
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, waves.8
It was thought Philip (seen here in 2020) “might not be seen in public again” following his cancer diagnosis, but the duke “outwitted the pessimists.”Getty Images
Philip ultimately passed away at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, two months before his 100th birthday. The royal family described his death as “very gentle,” and his cause of death was determined to be from “old age.”
Vickers, meanwhile, writes that the prince “did not want to reach his 100th birthday” because he “disliked the fuss attendant at such events.”
“On the last night of his life, he gave his nurses the slip, shuffled along the corridor on his Zimmer frame, helped himself to a beer and drank it in the Oak Room,” Vickers writes of Philips’ last hours alive.
“The following morning, he got up, had a bath, said he did not feel well, and quietly slipped away,” the writer continues. “By this point, he had lived with pancreatic cancer for nearly eight years — far longer than the usual survival time from diagnosis.”
But Queen Elizabeth was reportedly “not there” when Philip died.
Queen Elizabeth II in a bright pink coat and hat with Prince Philip in a tan trench coat, visiting Sherborne Abbey.8
Philip (pictured here with Queen Elizabeth in 2012) died at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, two months before what would have been his 100th birthday.Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip sitting in ornate chairs at the State Opening of Parliament.8
Vickers writes that Philip (seen here with Queen Elizabeth in 2014) “did not want to reach his 100th birthday” because he “disliked the fuss attendant at such events.”Getty Images
“There had often been times in earlier days when she had asked the staff to let her know when Philip was leaving, only to be told, ‘His Royal Highness left 20 minutes ago,’” Vickers writes in “Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History.”
The author was also reportedly told that Elizabeth was “absolutely furious” that her husband of more than 70 years often “left without saying goodbye.”
As for the queen, she passed away roughly 17 months after Prince Philip on Sept. 8, 2022. She was 96.
Like her husband before her, Elizabeth’s cause of death was listed as “old age.”
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh watch the 2017 Braemar Gathering.8
Vickers was told that Queen Elizabeth (pictured here with Philip in 2017) was “absolutely furious” that her husband often “left without saying goodbye.”Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in an open carriage at Royal Ascot.
Elizabeth (seen here with Prince Philip in 2011) died 17 months after her husband on Sept. 8, 2022, at 96.Getty Image
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“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” King Charles, who ascended to the throne upon his mother’s death, said in a statement at the time.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother,” the king, who was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in January 2024, continued. “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
Britain will celebrate what would have been Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday on April 21.
