Prince Philip was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer many years before his death, according to a new biography by royal historian Hugo Vickers.
The book, Queen Elizabeth II, says Philip was first told he had inoperable pancreatic cancer around 2013 while in his early 90s.
Despite the diagnosis, he continued with royal duties for several more years and lived far longer than doctors expected.
Philip died peacefully at Windsor Castle in April 2021 at age 99. His official death certificate lists “old age” as the cause of death.
The book says he remained determined to live on his own terms and avoided public fuss about his condition.
One chapter describes his final night alive, when he quietly fetched a beer before resting in a favorite room at the castle.
The revelation sheds new light on his final years and the private health struggles he faced.
Philip was the longest‑serving royal consort in British history and married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years.
The details in the book contrast with public records that simply cited old age, highlighting how private the royal family kept his illness.
