For more than seven decades, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II were the embodiment of royal unity.

Their marriage, which began in 1947, was a source of both admiration and envy, representing a rare image of stability and strength in the face of public scrutiny.

Yet, as time passed and their roles evolved, cracks began to appear in this seemingly perfect union.

In the later years of his life, Prince Philip chose to live separately from the Queen, leading many to ask: What was the true reason behind this unexpected distance?

Today, their children—King Charles, Prince Andrew, and Princess Anne—have finally opened up about the complexities of their parents’ relationship, revealing details that had remained hidden from the public eye. What motivated Prince Philip to spend his final years away from Queen Elizabeth? And what lies behind the carefully constructed image of an ideal royal marriage?

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth first met as children, and it was at a family wedding that their paths crossed again as teenagers. According to royal biographers, it was love at first sight for Elizabeth. By the time they married in 1947 at Westminster Abbey, the future Queen was just 21 and Philip was 26. Despite their shared love, their union was not without its challenges.

The move shocked many, as Buckingham Palace had long been the official residence of the British royal family, and the idea of living elsewhere permanently was considered unthinkable. However, in his retirement, Philip found peace in the quieter surroundings of Sandringham, while the Queen continued to reside at Buckingham Palace. Their separate living arrangements were not a sign of discord, but rather a reflection of the practicalities of aging and their individual needs.

However, it was not just infidelity rumors that put pressure on their relationship. The couple’s shared duties in the monarchy required constant compromise, especially when it came to the naming of their children. Philip, who hailed from the Mountbatten family, had hoped that his family name would be carried on, but it was ultimately the Windsor name that became the royal family’s legacy.

Yet, their personal lives were not without challenge. Prince Philip’s declining health led to an increasing physical distance between the couple. The Queen, having spent decades by his side, remarked after his death in April 2021 that he had simply been her “mainstay,” a tribute that touched the hearts of many around the world.

Princess Anne later remarked on how much Philip had shaped their family’s legacy, emphasizing his role as a mentor, critic, and supporter. His wit, pragmatism, and dedication to duty were qualities that his children, grandchildren, and the world would continue to cherish.

Although she managed to hold the monarchy together, many royal experts noted the toll it had taken on her health. In the wake of Prince Philip’s passing, the Queen spoke publicly for the first time about the deep and abiding affection she held for her late husband. In a speech at the opening of the Scottish Parliament, she fondly remembered the many happy memories she and Philip shared at Balmoral Castle, a place that had provided them with rare moments of tranquility away from the royal spotlight.

As the Queen continues to mourn the loss of the man who had been by her side through thick and thin, the royal family and the world reflect on the legacy of the Duke of Edinburgh—a man who spent his life in service to his country, his family, and the Queen. The lessons he imparted will continue to inspire future generations, long after the final curtain has fallen on this chapter of royal history.