These Were Charles’ Last Words to His Father, Prince Philip, the Night Before He Died
The royals announced the sad news on April 9, 2021, that the family patriarch, Prince Philip, had died. He was 99. The Duke of Edinburgh was married to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 73 years and was the longest-serving consort in British history. Philip and the queen had four children together and eight grandchildren. During the documentary Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, some of them spoke about the memories they have of him. That includes his oldest son, then-Prince Charles, who revealed the last conversation he had with his father just hours before he died.
Prince Philip publicly stated that he ‘couldn’t imagine anything worse’ than turning 100
Philip died two months shy of his 100th birthday. The milestone was something the royals were planning to celebrate in a big way but not something that Philip, who never liked a fuss being made over him, was looking forward to. In fact, when once asked about turning 100 Philip said he “couldn’t imagine anything worse” than a centennial birthday.
The Telegraph spoke to him on the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday in 2000 and Philip stated then that he had “no desire whatsoever” to reach that age. “I can’t imagine anything worse,” he told the publication adding, “Bits of me are falling off already.”
Charles reveals the last thing he said to his father before he died
According to now-King Charles, Philip’s 100th birthday was the topic of conversation the last time the two ever spoke.
In the documentary Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, the king revealed that he called his father at Windsor Castle the night before he died and brought up the party to mark his centenary in June.
“We’re talking about your birthday,” Charles told him. The Daily Mail noted that Charles knew that his father was slightly hard of hearing, so he repeated himself a little more loudly saying: ‘We’re talking about your birthday! And whether there’s going to be reception!” to which Philip replied: “Well, I’ve got to be alive for it, haven’t I?”
Then, the final words Charles said to his father were: “I knew you’d say that!”
Other royals shared memories of Philip in the documentary
Prince William, Prince Harry, and more shared fond memories of Prince Philip in the documentary.
When speaking about her grandfather getting older, Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall said: “He was getting older and he absolutely hated it. He was the worst patient in the world! But, actually, you never really prepare yourself for losing him because he was always there.”
“It felt like the end of an era,” Charles’ wife, Camilla, reflected. “They’re a very difficult generation to live up to but I’m very proud and very pleased that I knew him.” Chares then added: “We were lucky to have him for nearly 100 years.”
