Queen's denial of Prince Philip rumours discussed by experts

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Philip and the Queen celebrated 73 years of marriage last November together in Windsor Castle. The couple’s long-lasting union has impressed royal watchers around the world, especially as their married life has been in the public eye ever since they tied the knot. The Queen has referred to her husband as her “strength and stay” in the past and has never even hinted at any discontent between them behind closed doors.

Yet, reports of arguments, and even infidelity on Philip’s part, plagued the early years of their relationship.

Biographer Tim Heald told the Amazon Prime documentary ‘Princes of the Palace’ that “there have always been rumours about Prince Philip and girls”.

But, he continued: “I remember Prince Philip saying to me, ‘If I’d fathered as many children as I am supposed to have done, I wouldn’t have time for anything else’.”

Philip’s unwavering dedication to the crown has often been recognised. Before he retired in 2017 at the age of 96, he had carried out a total of 22,219 solo engagements.

The couple wed in 1947 and soon had their eldest two children in quick succession — Prince Charles and Princess Anne — but they had not anticipated that King George VI would die suddenly in 1952, meaning Princess Elizabeth became the monarch when she was just 25.

Philip had to give up his successful naval career to support his wife at the helm of the monarchy.

Many critics believe this led to tensions behind Palace walls in their marriage, triggering the infidelity claims.

Royal commentator Camilla Tominey told the documentary that the Queen’s ascension “brought an abrupt end to what had been as normal a marriage as possible for a royal couple”.

She added: “Suddenly, the Queen superseded him entirely and I think for the dynamics of the relationship that was quite hard to deal with.”

Philip then went on a five-month voyage without his wife on Royal Yacht Britannia shortly after she became Queen, in 1956.

This period of separation only amplified claims that all was not well in the royal marriage.

Ingrid Seward of Majesty magazine said: “The rumours started that his equerry had been having an affair [during the tour] and then Prince Philip was having an affair.

“People said there was a girl in every court.

“Like the other rumours, it would never go away.”

Historian Professor Jane Ridley also told Channel 4: “There’s a sort of fevered press interest in Britain.

“All sorts of rumours about how the prince has gone abroad to escape. Obviously, these rumours got to the Queen.”

The Palace then took the astounding step of publicly denying any fallout between the couple, in a statement which read: “It is quite untrue that there is any rift between the Queen and the Duke.”

But, historian Dr Pier Brendon added: “A public denial is tantamount to an admission.

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“Of course, it just fuelled speculation.”

Philip was said to be incredibly hurt by these accusations, too.

Mike Parker, Philip’s first Private Secretary, claimed: “He was completely in love with her, absolutely.”

He added that the adultery claims left the Duke “incandescent”, and that Philip was “very, very angry” as well as “deeply hurt”.

He continued: “Philip has been 100 percent faithful to the Queen. No ifs, no buts. Take it from me, I know.”

Prince Philip and Queen endured ‘rocky periods’ says expert

Royal biographer Gyles Brandreth also noted in The Telegraph that Philip has often pointed to the lack of evidence behind these reports.

He alleged: “Privately, he will say, ‘How could I?

“‘I’ve had a detective in my company, night and day, since 1947.’”

Philip returned to Windsor Castle earlier this month after a four-week stint in hospital and he is said to be back in “good spirits”.

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