Prince Philip to 'vanish' from public spotlight says expert

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The Duke of Edinburgh this week left hospital for the first time in a month, after he underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition. Returning back to Windsor Castle, the 99-year-old expressed his “thanks to all the medical staff who looked after him… and everyone who has sent their good wishes”, a Buckingham Palace statement said. It was the longest period of hospitalisation for Philip, and during his stay he was visited by his eldest son Prince Charles, who told reporters how he was “thrilled” that his father had gone home.

Windsor Castle is now a more unusual home for Philip, as since his retirement in 2017 he has lived in Norfolk’s Wood Farm, which became part of the estate in the 20th century while Edward VII was monarch.

Across the years, the residence has been occupied by a variety of people, including royal divorcees such as Sarah, Duchess of York, who was once allowed to stay and visit her royal children without being invited to the Queen’s festive celebrations in Sandringham House.

But one heartbreaking former tenant was the Queen’s uncle Prince John, who tragically died at the age of 13.

John was Her Majesty’s grandfather George V’s youngest son, and he was a sibling of her father George VI.

The youngster was moved to Wood Farm after he developed a disability likely to be autism, as well as epilepsy.

He was sent to live with a governess and eventually it became clear he would sadly not make it into adulthood, dying in 1919.

Wood Farm, and the Sandringham Estate, was a much loved place of John’s, and his grandmother Queen Alexandra, even maintained a garden there for John, which she described as “one of his great pleasures”.

The house itself is isolated and has acres of land that the young John would play in, and these characteristics were reportedly what drew Philip into wanting to renovate the grounds.

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The mass of land made a brilliant spot for pheasant-shooting, and as it was only two miles from a nearby train station, it was brilliantly located for royals.

Before Philip’s retirement four years ago, it was previously used as a guest house for visitors who demanded complete privacy.

Although the pandemic has changed his living conditions, prior to the outbreak historian Hugo Vickers said the Queen would often take the train to visit Philip after he moved into Wood Farm.

Her Majesty and Philip had previously spent the past 32 years celebrating Christmas at Sandringham, but due to the coronavirus they had to shelve those plans in 2020.

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Tradition dictates that the Queen would visit St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Day, and stay at Sandringham until after the day of her father’s death.

King George VI died at Sandringham on February 6, 1952.

But ahead of the pandemic, reports show that Philip and the Queen did not spend much time together, as Her Majesty opted to live in Buckingham Palace permanently.

It is believed that the decision to move Philip to the quiet grounds of Wood Farm was an idea rustled up by the Queen.

Philip now enjoys reading, painting watercolours, and entertaining any guests who come to stay.

The Duke of Edinburgh also takes a horse and carriage around the Sandringham grounds.

A source close to the Royal Family said of the Queen: “She knows him [Philip] too well — if he was still at the centre of royal life he’d feel he had to be involved.

“Being at Wood Farm means he’s not too far away, but far enough to be able to relax.”

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