99 AND STILL GOING STRONG

Prince Philip celebrated his birthday in isolation with the queen and their special bond is stronger than ever

- NICI DE WET

ONE year short of a century makes him the oldest living royal male in history and the longest-serving royal consort ever.

All hail Prince Philip, the man who’s been by Queen Elizabeth’s side for over 72 years of marriage, standing by as she dealt with ups and downs, births and deaths, divorces and disappointments.

And now, at the ripe old age of 99, Philip and the queen are enjoying what’s been described as one of the most special times of their long life together: spending their twilight years in quiet contentment, side by side.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought the couple – who’ve often been apart because of the monarch’s relentless duties – together at Windsor Castle.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who’d been based at Sandringham since retiring from royal duty in 2017, joined his wife at her favourite residence when the UK went into lockdown and isolation has seen them sharing their days once more.

When the day of his 99th birthday dawned, Philip celebrated in low-key style with a quiet lunch with Her Majesty at the castle. As a no-frills kind of man, it probably suited him quite well.

“Prince Philip has always disliked being fussed over,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams says.

“There would’ve been no special plans to mark the occasion other than the two of them lunching together. Though the duke would, one feels, appreciate some form of celebration when he turns 100 next year.”

“The royals don’t really celebrate birthdays without a nought,” royal author Robert Lacey adds.