In a candid and rare interview, Princess Anne has finally broken her silence on a long-standing mystery surrounding her late father, Prince Philip, and his relationship with the Queen. The Princess Royal, known for her no-nonsense attitude and dedication to royal duties, provided insight into why Prince Philip did not live with Queen Elizabeth II in their later years, offering a perspective that many royal observers have long been curious about.
In the interview, which took place during a recent documentary about the royal family, Princess Anne spoke openly about her parents’ relationship and how their choices regarding living arrangements were shaped by their individual personalities and longstanding commitment to duty.
“People often misunderstood the nature of their relationship,” Princess Anne began. “My parents were very much a team, but they were also two individuals who had their own lives and commitments. My father had his own space, his own interests, and that was always very important to him. It wasn’t about any lack of affection or distance. It was simply how they operated as a couple, balancing duty with personal preferences.”
Princess Anne further explained that Prince Philip, who had been a constant presence by the Queen’s side for over six decades, valued his independence and found solace in pursuing his own passions, particularly his involvement with various charitable organizations and his love of outdoor activities. As a man who had spent much of his life in the public eye, Prince Philip was reportedly keen on maintaining some autonomy, even as his health began to decline.
“It’s true that they didn’t always live under the same roof,” Princess Anne said. “But my father was very much involved in the Queen’s work. They were always in communication, and he was her most trusted advisor. Their relationship was one of deep respect and mutual understanding, but they also respected each other’s need for personal space.”
The royal couple’s separate living arrangements became more noticeable in their later years, particularly after Prince Philip’s retirement from public duties in 2017. He spent more time at their private residence in Sandringham and occasionally at Wood Farm, his beloved home on the estate. Queen Elizabeth, meanwhile, continued her royal duties, residing at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Despite these physical separations, Princess Anne emphasized that her parents maintained a close and deeply supportive relationship. “People may have assumed there was a distance between them, but that was never the case. They had a partnership that worked for them,” Anne reflected. “They understood each other on a level that was very special.”
The Princess Royal also shared some personal anecdotes about how her father and mother would spend their time together when they could. “When they were together, it was always a wonderful sight to see,” she recalled fondly. “They enjoyed each other’s company immensely, whether it was attending an event or just spending quiet time together. That connection was very strong, despite the separate living arrangements.”
Princess Anne’s revelations shed light on a dynamic that had often been misunderstood by the public. While their living arrangements may have seemed unconventional to outsiders, it’s clear that Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth’s bond was based on mutual respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to their roles in the royal family.
The interview also serves as a poignant reminder of the unique lives that members of the royal family lead — lives defined by duty, service, and a balance between personal space and public responsibilities.
With Princess Anne’s thoughtful words, the public now has a deeper understanding of why Prince Philip and the Queen made certain choices in their later years, reinforcing the idea that love and partnership can take many forms, even within the royal family.
