Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II spent increasing amounts of time living apart during the later years of their marriage. Now, new comments attributed to Princess Anne have reignited public interest in the deeply personal decision that shaped the couple’s final years together.
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According to royal insiders, Princess Anne explained that Prince Philip’s decision to step back from royal life and spend more time at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate was never about conflict or separation. Instead, it reflected his lifelong desire for peace, independence, and a quieter lifestyle after decades of intense public duty.
Prince Philip officially retired from royal duties in 2017 at the age of 96 after completing more than 22,000 solo engagements throughout his remarkable career. While the Queen largely remained at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace to continue fulfilling her constitutional responsibilities, Philip preferred the calm and privacy of Sandringham.
Princess Anne reportedly revealed that her father valued simplicity and freedom far more than royal ceremony. Away from the spotlight, Philip enjoyed reading, painting, carriage driving, and spending time outdoors. Wood Farm offered him the opportunity to live without the constant formalities that accompanied palace life.
Despite living separately for periods of time, sources close to the Royal Family insisted the Queen and Prince Philip remained incredibly devoted to each other. Their marriage lasted more than 73 years — the longest royal marriage in British history — and was built on mutual respect, loyalty, and understanding.