The royal family continues to be a mainstay in the headlines, with the recent news that Prince Philip, the longtime husband to Queen Elizabeth II, passed away at the age of 99. The senior royal devoted his life to charitable works and acts of public service.
In the days after his death, many world leaders and major celebrities have taken to social media to share their condolences for the royal family and to remember Prince Philip’s long life and lengthy military career. Still, many royal fans have questions about the future of the royal family, with some questioning whether the queen will remain on the throne after losing her lifelong companion.
Prince Philip passed away after suffering some recent health setbacks
On Friday, April 9th, Buckingham Palace released a statement, confirming that Prince Philip had passed away earlier that morning, at the age of 99. The statement referenced not only the royal’s relationship with Queen Elizabeth but also touched on his life of service, reading in part: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh…The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
Prince Philip had suffered some health problems in recent years, even undergoing a hospital stay. Following the news of his death, everyone from President Joe Biden to Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex took to social media to release remarks honoring Prince Philip, commenting on the length of his tenure as a public servant — as well as the enduring nature of his marriage to Queen Elizabeth.
When did Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth get married?
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip first met in 1939, according to Refinery29. The two went on to get married in 1947, with Queen Elizabeth (a princess at the time) giving birth to the couple’s first child, Prince Charles, less than a year later. They went on to have three more children together, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
In 1953, Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne, and Prince Philip became “first gentleman of the land.” In the decades that followed, the couple weathered many storms together, from wars to national tragedies — but they always remained at each other’s side.
Will Queen Elizabeth abdicate in light of Prince Philip’s death?
In 2017, Prince Philip retired from royal duties, and in recent years, the Duke of Edinburgh made very few public appearances. He would make an exception for major family occasions, such as Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018.
In 2020, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth marked their 73rd year of marriage. Sadly, one year later, the aged royal passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle.
Queen Elizabeth is no doubt devastated over the loss of her life partner and devoted husband. Some royal fans have even questioned whether she will decide to abdicate in the wake of his death.
Former U.K. prime minister Sir John Major once said Queen Elizabeth’s position as the monarch was “a very lonely position.” On BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, he said: “There are a limited number of people to whom she can really open her heart, to whom she can really speak with total frankness, to whom she can say things that would be reported by other people and thought to be indelicate.”
Still, it seems very unlikely that the queen will abdicate, in spite of the great personal tragedy that she has experienced. Reports point out that Queen Elizabeth has pledged her life to the service of her country, with royal historian Hugo Vickers telling Reuters: “I can assure you the Queen will not abdicate. There is every indication the Queen is in extremely good health and with luck she will continue to be our queen for as long as possible.”
Vickers told The Guardian that faith has something to do with it too. “One main reason why the Queen will absolutely not abdicate is unlike other European monarchs, she is an anointed Queen,” Vickers said of her pact with God during her coronation. “And if you are an anointed Queen you do not abdicate.”
Ultimately, Queen Elizabeth is powering ahead, working hard to serve her country, even in extremely difficult circumstances.
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