Prince Philip battled pancreatic cancer for eight years before his passing, as revealed by royal historian Hugo Vickers in his latest book. Diagnosed at the age of 91 in June 2013, concerns arose about his ability to fulfill royal duties. Despite this, he continued his official engagements for four more years until stepping back in 2017, passing away two months prior to his 100th birthday.
In Vickers’ forthcoming book “Queen Elizabeth II,” he delves into Philip’s final years, recounting his hospitalization and subsequent home recovery upon diagnosis with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Vickers noted the initial doubts about Philip’s public appearances after the diagnosis, but the duke defied expectations, living with the disease longer than anticipated.
Spending his final days at Windsor Castle, Philip found moments of peace, even sneaking a beer in the Oak Room before his demise. According to Vickers, the Duke lived with pancreatic cancer for an exceptional eight years, surpassing typical survival rates. The morning of his passing, he quietly departed after expressing feeling unwell, leaving the Queen enraged for not bidding farewell.
With only a limited attendance permitted due to the pandemic, Philip’s funeral saw the Queen alone, masked, at St George’s Chapel. Having been married for over 73 years, the couple shared a strong bond, with the Queen describing Philip as her pillar of strength.
Pancreatic cancer, known for its low survival rates, poses significant challenges with surgery often not an option due to late-stage diagnoses. In the UK, the disease claims around 10,200 lives annually.
