For decades, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth presented the world with a picture of marital unity, sharing a bond that weathered the many trials of royal life.

Their marriage, which spanned 73 years, was one of the longest in history.

Yet, in his final years, the Duke of Edinburgh made a surprising decision: he chose to live apart from the Queen, retreating to a quiet life at Wood Farm, a modest cottage on the Sandringham estate.

The separation puzzled many, and for years, the royal family kept largely silent on the true reasons behind the move.

However, in recent interviews, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew have broken their silence, shedding new light on the circumstances surrounding this unexpected decision.

The love story between Elizabeth and Philip began long before they fully understood the magnitude of their future roles. The couple first met in 1934, but it wasn’t until Elizabeth was 13, during a visit to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, that she reportedly became smitten with the dashing Prince Philip, who was a cadet at the time. Their early relationship was filled with challenges, not least of which was the resistance from some within the royal family, who viewed Philip—born into exiled Greek and Danish royalty—as an unsuitable match for the future Queen.

Despite these objections, Elizabeth’s determination won out. They married in a lavish ceremony on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey, a moment that helped lift the spirits of a post-war Britain. The union was a triumph of tradition, symbolizing hope and continuity for a nation recovering from the devastation of World War II.

The couple’s children, King Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew, have offered insights into the complex dynamics of their parents’ marriage. While they were raised with a clear sense of duty and respect for their parents’ commitment to the crown, they also witnessed moments of tension and frustration. Charles has described his childhood as one of balance, with both moments of warmth and humor, but also the understanding that royal life often put a strain on their parents’ relationship.

Princess Anne, in particular, has described her father as a man who, despite his devotion to the crown, struggled with the limitations of his position as consort. “He was a man who craved action,” she recalled, “and the ceremonial duties of royal life often stifled that part of him.” As a former naval officer accustomed to a life of freedom, Philip found the rigid protocols of royal life increasingly difficult to navigate, especially in his later years.

Rumors of an affair between Prince Philip and Russian ballerina Galina Ulanova in the 1950s have also resurfaced in the wake of his separation from the Queen. While there is no conclusive evidence to support these claims, some palace sources suggest that these whispers may have created additional tension in the relationship, leading to Philip’s retreat. Prince Andrew, however, has strongly defended his father’s reputation, emphasizing Philip’s unwavering dedication to his family and to the monarchy.

King Charles described their time together during the lockdown as a “final chapter” in his parents’ remarkable relationship. Despite their physical separation in the years leading up to Philip’s death in April 2021, Charles observed a profound sense of mutual respect and love between his parents during their final months together. He recalled quiet moments of reflection where they would sit in silence, appreciating the bond they had shared for decades.

While the physical separation between Philip and the Queen in their later years was difficult, it also highlighted the unique nature of their relationship—one that withstood the pressures of public life, personal sacrifice, and the complexities of the royal role. Despite the mystery surrounding the reasons for their separation, it is clear that their bond, rooted in love, loyalty, and a shared commitment to duty, remained unbreakable.