Prince Philip Got His Last Dying Wish
The loss of Prince Philip, who died on April 9, 2021 at the age of 99, has been hard to accept for many, including his grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, who released a statement on their website mourning his death. The Duke of Edinburgh had been dealing with various ailments prior to his death. He was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 16, 2021 after "feeling unwell," per CBS News. Buckingham Palace later confirmed, via BBC, that Prince Philip was taken "as a precaution." He was hospitalized for over a month, during which he was transferred to a different hospital where he underwent a successful heart procedure, per BBC. Prince Philip was released from the hospital on March 16.
"His Royal Highness wishes to thank all the medical staff who looked after him at both King Edward VII's Hospital and St Bartholomew's Hospital, and everyone who has sent their good wishes," a statement from Buckingham Palace (via Richard Palmer on Twitter) read after Prince Philip was discharged.
While many royal watchers and fans were glad to see that Prince Philip was well enough to go home, it turns out that the release was on his own terms.
Prince Philip wanted to 'die peacefully' at home
On April 9, 2021, Buckingham Palace released a statement on Prince Philip's death, saying he "passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle." Windsor Castle is, of course, the official residence and home of Queen Elizabeth per Royal UK, and where Prince Philip wanted to spend his last moments. A Royal source tells the New York Post that Prince Philip's death wish came true as he died "on his own terms."
"It was the Duke's fervent wish to die peacefully at home," the royal source told the New York Post. "We knew that when he was taken home it was to die on his own terms, not in a hospital bed, but in his own bed. The source added that Prince Philip "didn't want any fuss" and "wanted to do things his way until the end."
Prince Philip's love for Queen Elizabeth and attachment to his family is well known. He spent the last years of his life in retirement and enjoyed life in Windsor Castle and other royal residences.
As of this writing, Buckingham Palace has not yet completely revealed the funeral plans for Prince Philip, although it's expected that the arrangements will be scaled down due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Prince Philip has been honored across the world with big displays
The U.K. has been in mourning since the news of Prince Philip's death, with a number of military forces paying their respects to the late Duke of Edinburgh with gun salutes across the nation and its territories. According to BBC, gun salutes began in Gibraltar — a British Overseas Territory connected to Spain — as warships at sea fired off their guns. Salutes also took place at the barracks in Woolwich, near London, the base of the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. The site reported that the field guns being used are the same ones used at the Queen's coronation and those used to mark her marriage to Philip in 1947.
A gun salute also took place at the iconic Tower of London, where The Honourable Artillery Company paid their respects to the Queen's husband and British war ships at sea have also fired the salute in honor of the late royal. Other countries have also honored Philip, including a 41-gun salute in Australia.
Philip was a military man and, per the Independent, served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. It's likely he would have been very touched by the display from his fellow men in uniform.
Why the British public has been asked not to lay flowers for Prince Philip
Prince Philip will not have the customary large floral display other late royals have received. Though it has become a tradition for the public to lay flowers outside Buckingham Palace following the death of a member of the royal family, BBC reported that people have been asked not to do so for Prince Philip due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many royal watchers will remember the incredible display of flowers that were laid across London following the death of Princess Diana in 1997 (per RD.com), though the royals instead asked people to sign a book of condolence for Philip or to donate to charity in his memory.
The British government also urged people not to gather in royal locations, such as Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle because of strict guidelines in the U.K. in April 2021 forbidding the public from mixing outdoors in groups of more than six people. But, despite the guidance, BBC reported that more than 100 floral tributes were placed outside Buckingham Palace by mourners on April 9, 2021, while officials attempted to ensure people observed social distancing as they mourned the late prince.