King Charles’ poignant final words with Prince Philip

The Royal Family will undoubtedly be reflecting on the late Prince Philip, who passed away precisely three years ago today. As King Charles and Queen Camilla commemorate their 19th wedding anniversary, the day will also be marked by a tinge of sadness. This is because today also marks the third anniversary of the death of Charles’ beloved father, the late Prince Philip. He died just over a year before his devoted wife, the late Queen, and spent his final peaceful days at Windsor Castle before passing away at the age of 99. Remarkably, he seemed to retain his sense of humor, sharp wit, and mischievous sense of humor until the very end. True to form, the 99-year-old couldn’t resist delivering one last wisecrack while speaking to his eldest son Charles the day before he died.

In a documentary celebrating the life of his late father, Prince Philip, King Charles III recalled their final phone conversation just hours before Philip’s passing. During an intimate interview for a BBC film, Charles shared details of how he tentatively broached the subject of Philip’s upcoming 100th birthday and suggested a potential celebration, aware of his father’s aversion to such events.

Charles revealed that when he mentioned the family’s discussions about Philip’s 100th birthday and a possible reception, Philip’s response showcased his characteristic wit and humor. Knowing his father was slightly hard of hearing, Charles repeated himself more loudly, emphasizing: “We’re talking about your birthday! And whether there’s going to be a reception!”

To this, Philip sharply and without missing a beat, replied: “Well, I’ve got to be alive for it, haven’t I?” Charles then shared that he responded, “I knew you’d say that!” and cherished this exchange as a happy final memory of his father’s cheeky nature.

The passing of Prince Philip marked a significant transition within the British royal family. In the years since his death, King Charles III has honored one of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s pledges by granting Prince Edward, the youngest brother, Philip’s former title. Buckingham Palace announced last year that Edward had become the Duke of Edinburgh, a title previously held by Philip.

This bestowal of the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon Edward consequently means that his wife, Sophie, is now known as the Duchess of Edinburgh. This development was not unexpected, as it had long been known that Edward would one day inherit the Duke of Edinburgh title after a pledge made by the late Queen and Prince Philip on Edward’s wedding day in June 1999.

Prince Philip’s desire for Edward to hold this title was a recognition of his son’s decades-long commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a youth scheme that stands as one of Philip’s greatest legacies. This transition in titles serves to honor Prince Philip’s wishes and ensure the continuation of his enduring legacy.

During an interview with Alan Titchmarsh to commemorate his 60th birthday last month, Edward spoke highly of his late father, praising him for his exceptional ability to connect with people, even if it wasn’t always immediately apparent. “He was always, always encouraging everybody,” Edward stated, emphasizing his father’s supportive nature. He acknowledged that it sometimes required getting to know him better, as Edward explained, “You sort of needed to get to know him.”

Edward highlighted his father’s renowned sense of humor, stating, “Everybody would always comment on my father’s sense of humor, but that’s what he was just doing.” He portrayed his father as an extraordinary individual, drawing parallels to Prince Albert by describing him as “the Prince Albert of our age.” Edward praised his father’s intellect, saying, “He had an extraordinary mind,” and highlighted his diverse interests, including design and innovation. Furthermore, Edward commended his father’s ability to interact with people from all walks of life, stating, “He was brilliant with all sorts of people.”