Prince Philip lived with inoperable pancreatic cancer for eight years up until his death in 2021, a new book has claimed.
Royal historian and biographer Hugo Vickers revealed in his new book Queen Elizabeth II that Philip was diagnosed with cancer in June 2013 during an 11-day visit to a hospital when he was 91.
The late Duke of Edinburgh died in April 2021 after being discharged from the hospital following a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition. His cause of death was officially recorded as “old age”.
Mr Vickers wrote: “On the last night of his life, he gave his nurses the slip, shuffled along the corridor on his Zimmer frame, helped himself to a beer and drank it in the Oak Room.
“The following morning, he got up, had a bath, said he did not feel well and quietly slipped away.
“By this point, he had lived with pancreatic cancer for nearly eight years – far longer than the usual survival time from diagnosis.”
(AFP/Getty)
The book, which has been serialised in the Daily Mail, also claims that the late prince did not want to reach his 100th birthday as he did not enjoy the fuss of such events.
The Queen, who was not present when her husband died, was said to have been upset that “as so often in life, he left without saying goodbye”.
According to Mr Vickers, Prince Philip was hospitalised in 2011 for a blocked coronary artery and was treated at a private clinic in 2013. Doctors detected a “shadow” on his pancreas and found he had inoperable pancreatic cancer after undergoing explorative surgery.
Due to Covid restrictions, only 30 people were able to attend his funeral and the Queen was forced to sit alone in the chapel while her husband was buried in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel.
The King was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024 (PA Wire)
Pancreatic cancer is the 5th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with around 10,200 deaths every year, according to Cancer Research. Less than 5 per cent of people will survive pancreatic cancer for 10 or more years and around half die within three months of diagnosis.
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024 and is undergoing treatment. Buckingham Palace has not disclosed what type of cancer he has, but confirmed it was not prostate cancer.
In December, the King issued a heartfelt message in support of Stand Up to Cancer, urging people to attend cancer screenings.
“I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming,” he said.
“Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope.”
The Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.