Prince Philip didn’t want to go to Balmoral, wants to live separately from the Queen

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the London Ambulance Service during the Coronavirus crisis!

For a solid week, royal reporters have been talking about how the Queen and Prince Philip are cutting their Balmoral holiday “short” and how they’ll be returning to separate residences when that happens. It’s a little bit tricky actually – the palace people moved Philip from Wood Farm (in Sandringham) to Windsor Castle at the start of the pandemic, mostly as a cost-cutting measure, so guards could create a “bubble” around both of them together. That was the most time they’d spent together in years. Then they traveled to Balmoral together, and now they’re cutting the vacation short. The original plan was for the Queen to return to Windsor Castle, then commute to Buckingham Palace occasionally this fall, to do some events. The plan was for Philip to return to Wood Farm:

After isolating together amid the coronavirus pandemic since March, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip will soon head to different royal residences. Later this month, the royal couple will depart Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where they typically spend their summer break, to “spend time privately on the Sandringham Estate” in Norfolk, a palace spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE Tuesday. They added that it’s the Queen’s “intention” to return to Windsor Castle in October, visiting Buckingham Palace in London for “selected audiences and engagements.”

When the monarch, 94, returns to Windsor, where the couple spent much of the spring and summer amid the coronavirus pandemic, Prince Philip will stay in Sandringham at Wood Farm. The 99-year-old royal, who retired from public life in August 2017 after 64 years of service, spends most of his time at the estate located about 100 miles north of London in Norfolk while the Queen carries out her royal duties in London.

Despite their separation, the staff is said to be creating a special bubble so the Queen and Prince Philip can safely visit each other in the coming months. Wood Farm is a five-bedroom home that has been Philip’s main residence since his retirement.

“It is certainly true that Wood Farm is the one royal home where the Queen feels she can escape from the pressures of monarchy and being under the spotlight,” Richard Kay wrote in The Daily Mail. “There are far fewer of the rituals that govern her life: Philip has seen to that. The staff, for example, do not always have to wear royal livery — and it is the one residence where the Queen is likely to be seen in the kitchen.”

[From People]

I mean… it sounds like Liz and Phil feel like they’ve spent enough time together and they’re sick of each other (to the point where she’s cutting out on the Balmoral holiday) and that Philip desperately wants to go back to Wood Farm. Unfortunately, the original plan had to be scrapped, because there are not enough security people to create two bubbles:

Prince Philip will join the Queen at Windsor Castle because the Royals do not have enough staff for them to live apart, The Sun understands. The Queen, 94, and Duke of Edinburgh, 99, arrive at Sandringham on Monday for a two-week break before a return to “HMS Bubble” at Windsor Castle. Prince Philip wanted to stay at Sandringham but there are too few royal staff to create two bubbles 130-miles apart, insiders revealed.

Instead, they are said to be staying at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate as a “compromise” before returning together to Windsor.

A source said: “Philip didn’t want to go to Balmoral and doesn’t want to go to Windsor. But there is not enough staff to make two bubbles so he is being made to go. It makes far more sense to keep them together.”

The Duke usually lives at Wood Farm cottage when the Queen is working at Windsor. HMS Bubble requires 24 staff working in two teams of 12 on ‘three weeks on and three weeks off’ with a further week in quarantine. The Queen and Duke spent six months together due to lockdown – one of the longest periods during their 72-year marriage. And have privately vowed to try and spend more time together.

[From The Sun]

All of this is dripping with such old-fart bitterness, I love it. I mean, I feel like a 99-year-old man should get to just stay wherever he wants too. It’s not like he needs 20 people around him anyway. The fact that the Queen thought it would be a brilliant idea to go to Balmoral like usual, then try to force Philip to stay in the Sandringham main house with her… I mean, this is the year to break those ancient habits, especially when Philip is being constantly forced to move away from the quiet life he wanted on Wood Farm. Something tells me that Liz and Phil have not been getting along at all during the pandemic too.

Windsor Horse Show day 3

The Queen attends a ceremony to mark her Official Birthday

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, WENN.

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82 Responses to “Prince Philip didn’t want to go to Balmoral, wants to live separately from the Queen”

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  1. Hope says:

    Petty Betty flexing on a 99 year old man. Let him go to Wood Farm and spend his remaining time with Penny. The Queen has Angela Kelly to keep her company.

    • Myra says:

      The man has done his duty to queen and country, can’t they leave him to enjoy the rest of his days with his lady friend? I blame the courtiers, honestly. It’s difficult to sell the idea that Harry abandoned his family during the pandemic, when his own family doesn’t even like being around each other. Phillip probably told everyone to sod off after a few weeks.

      • bettyrose says:

        Or more to the point, it’s difficult to sell the idea that Harry regrets leaving his highly dysfunctional family who can barely stand being together on one sprawling massive estate.

    • Chris says:

      Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !

  2. SJR says:

    He’s almost 100 years old. Let him live where/how he wants.
    He’s probably fed up with the entire family at this point.

  3. VS says:

    How can these people not die of boredom?

    • MaryContrary says:

      Because they’re a century old? What hot spots generally cater to the elderly? Whether we like the idea of a monarchy or think that personally they’re awful people-they’ve both put in a ton of service. He’s entitled to just being at home at this point in his life.

  4. LahdidahBaby says:

    Her Grumpiness in aqua, above, probably explains Phillip’s choice.

  5. Seraphina says:

    If I were 99, I would want to be left alone to do as I please and not have to listen to anyone’s lip service. And I am sure Liz has given plenty of lip service to him in the past. I am not a Phillip fan AT ALL, but I too would want to be left alone. And he has been portrayed as the one who enforces and keeps the family in line, I am sure he’s over everything by now.

  6. Sofia says:

    Let the man live wherever he wants. I don’t understand why these people need 20 odd people to do what? Security? But they live in (what I assume) castles and homes that are pretty secure. I just don’t understand the need for that many bodyguards or whatever

    He should be able to live out the final months/year or so of his life however he wants

    • Sarah says:

      And how many people actually need to be in the ‘bubble’ and coming into close contact with him? A few nurses on rotation? Someone to help him move around and dress, etc.?

    • megs283 says:

      Security, nurses, cook, housekeeper, cleaners, laundress…? I don’t know, pastry chef? Gardener, there must be some plants indoors that need tending.

  7. NotSoSimpleTaylor says:

    If the Queen is keeping Philip by her side like this, I don’t think it’s for merely creating a safety bubble. I think she’s been advised the end is coming for him. The pandemic makes for a good excuse to keep things upbeat but his health has been on the decline for awhile. They could have the staff for Philip at Wood Farm. Recession or no, they would make it work it could with the staff. I think the shift and change is because he’s leaving for sunnier pastures soon.

    • Sofia says:

      The man is 99. They probably spend almost everyday going over his funeral plan because he can die any moment. But it is possible she wants to spend her husband’s last moments by his side but Philip (who is probably tired of it all at this point) wants to just live in peace away from the circumstance and pomp

      • NotSoSimpleTaylor says:

        If Philip, for example, is having difficulty with walking or balance, Wood Farm may not be the most accessible or safe place for him. Wood Farm is 2 floors. All bedrooms and living spaces are on the second floor. The first floor is like a museum. If Philip were receiving needed treatment for end of life, Windsor may be better suited. I doubt Elizabeth and Philip’s marriage is sunshine and roses and the happiness the media makes it out to be. However, I think this is less about their marriage and more about his health.

        To your point, I recall Sandringham has typically been used for royal medical convalescence and for medical procedures so I would think it would be a matter of just moving him over to Sandringham from Wood Farm if they really needed to.

      • Sofia says:

        I do agree mostly but he’s been living at Wood Farm since his retirement. I think they probably have converted it into a 24 hour carehome for him and might even have an ambulance on standby. I just don’t think they would move a man in his late 90s into a house that isn’t sufficiently equipped for his needs.

      • NotSoSimpleTaylor says:

        Historically, Philip is stubborn as a mule and he’s 99. They might have wanted to turn it into a care home and he told them not to touch a damn thing. These aren’t normal people. Philip is the type of person to value the artifacts in his house more than his life. I could see Philip not wanting things moved around so it can remain the museum and home he’s used to. That’s been his regular home since the late 1960s.

  8. S808 says:

    I’m surprised they’re openly talking about the two living apart and that it’s been that way for years??

  9. Lizzie says:

    He misses his lady friend, let him go. The queen can pay for whatever staff he needs.

    • NotSoSimpleTaylor says:

      There’s been a lot of propaganda about how the Queen loves to visit Philip at Wood Farm. What I think they mean is she likes to pop in and make it awkward for him and the Marchioness.

      • BabsORIG says:

        😂😂😂😂 these people are just too weird, LOL. The Queen’s 94 and Prince Philip’s freaking 99, what the heck does the queen want from him? LOL, is she planning on getting her freak on with the marchioness in the next room so she gets jelous?😁😁😁. This is very bizarre!!

  10. Amy Bee says:

    Liz and Phil are essentially divorced. It’s clear that Phil has left royal life but the Queen and the courtiers insist on pushing this image of the old happily married couple.

  11. GR says:

    Cmon, how big are these places? It’s not like they’re trying to avoid each other in a studio apartment.

    • Donn says:

      I agree with you. I live in a small one befroom condo that I own but I would love to have another bedroom that I could escape to occassionally. I retired last year, thank goodness because I could have never been able to work from home. To have all the space these people have is is unimanigble.

  12. Mika says:

    But their Marriage Was SOOO PERRREFECTTTT.

  13. Merricat says:

    They’re both old. Elizabeth needs to get on with the transition and formally hand over the reins to Charles. They’re all terrified of any change, terrified that any good will the monarchy possesses rests with the Queen, but she is not going to live forever, or even much longer than a few years.

    • NotSoSimpleTaylor says:

      I think if the pandemic goes past her 95th birthday, she will.

      • L84Tea says:

        I really hope so. I sort of feel like it’s ridiculous at this point that she’s still got such a deathgrip on her position. I know she made a vow, but come on Liz, you’ve fulfilled your duty in spades. She needs to turn it over to Charles.

      • HeyJude says:

        I don’t think she will. She’s too set with the idea relinquishing duty would be a disappointment to her father and mother. As that’s the way he got the crown. She can’t do the “vile” thing her uncle did by “disrespecting the monarchy” by giving it up. Of course that’s nonsense but she’s an antiqued 94-year-old Queen.

      • BnLurkN4eva says:

        @HeyJude, I think this is what she puts out to justify her need to retain power. Never underestimate the greed for power that takes over especially after one has held it for so long. I don’t buy what Elizabeth is selling at this point, she doesn’t want Charles in charge. She will have to be removed, or die before giving up the throne.

      • Call_Me_Al says:

        Agree with BnLurkN4eva. She is like Walter White, saying that she is doing all this for “the family” but knowing it is for her all along. She chose her priorities and everything else will suffer for it.

  14. Ines says:

    OK, here’s my theory:
    He’s terminally ill. This is why they cut short their time at Balmoral. He wants to return to Wood Farm and she’s coming with him.
    The announcement said they (or was is “she”?) will return to Windsor in October but that this was subject to change.
    So, he is going to Wood Farm to die.

    • Molly says:

      People have been saying he’s at death’s door for YEARS. He’s living on unicorn blood and Fergie spite, and if he lived forever, it wouldn’t surprise me.
      Plus, he was upright for at least a photo at Beatrice’s wedding less than two months ago. Obviously health can decline very, very quickly at 99, but he’s outlived all the estimates, at this point.

    • Arpeggi says:

      He’s 99 years old. It’s pretty much the definition of a terminal illness; time ain’t on his side. It’s probable that it’s easier to care for him not at Wood Farm, esp given the pandemic and that’s why they’re going against his wishes.

  15. ArtHistorian says:

    If six months is some of the longest time they’ve spent together in their marriage, then they must have been living apart from the beginning.

    • Nyro says:

      The whole thing is a sham. Seems that they got together to fulfill the “duty” of having kids and couldn’t really be bothered beyond that. Fine, that their right. But it’s annoying to see their relationship sold as this royal love story, the beginning of the happy Windsor family. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Which is why the royals and the media trying to attack Meghan and shame Harry for leaving them behind disgusts me. “Meghan has turned him against his loving family! His grandparents are devastated that they can’t see their sweet baby Achie!!” Such bullsh#t.

    • NatureLover says:

      @ ArtHistorian, Liz developed a crush on this adulterous, nasty, mean spirited and petty man when she was still a teenager. She never had a relationship with a young gentleman in her life, and he was an adult when they met and she was giddy as a school girl, which she was. They married and he was never comfortable having to walk behind her and behind closed doors, she relied on him a great deal. He has been able to do as he pleases and be a nasty human being as long as they have been together. Liz wants to be by his side when he passes as she has always stood by him as I would imagine she always truly loved him, though I don’t know if I could say the same for him. If he wants to live his days getting a hand job once in a while with his side chick and not be bothered, let him be. Liz has always protected and ignored his bad behaviour and that will not change now. Let him be, a hand job for an afternoon nap, and he can walk around with no one under his feet.

  16. Jeanette says:

    I know she’s a mean old woman but I still feel for her. She’s in the twilight of her life and still dealing with a no good husband whom she gave everything to. Guess that’s marriage.

    • Sofia says:

      “still dealing with a no good husband whom she gave everything to” I’m not trying to be rude but um… what exactly is this “gave everything to”? Have I missed something?

  17. BnLurkN4eva says:

    These people have lived a very privileged life, both of them. Yeah, they did their so called duty to country, but in exchange for what amounts to little output, they have received so much in return. It really annoys me to think about how much they’ve been given and how little others who have given so much more have. That’s all I got when thinking of Elizabeth and her whole family these days.

    • Nyro says:

      The ribbon cutting, ship christenings, plaque unveilings, and Christmas speeches have really paid off quite well for them, to say the least.

    • Liz says:

      @bnlurkn YES. It annoys the crap out of me when people blather on about how much she’s given to the country. So much about the Windsors’ PR team really sucks right now, but they’ve sure done an amazing job selling everyone a bill of goods for the last century regarding how hard these spoiled dummies “work.”

  18. Laura says:

    I’m trying to think how much staff would be minimum at Wood Farm for just Philip. A chef or cook, kitchen maid, housekeeper, maid, valet, gardener, someone to take care of livestock and cars (evidently he still does that carriage races thing) and security. That’s pretty bare bones. Figuring on they have time off and others come in and quarantining it does add up.

    • Arpeggi says:

      Exactly, a staff of 20 people is not extraordinary considering their position, their age and the need for rotation for time off and taking into consideration that some of them might have to quarantine at some point. A 99 yo requires a lot of care! He won’t be let to sit in his dirty diaper for 6 hours because the night nurse called sick

    • Liz says:

      “evidently he still does that carriage races thing”

      Sweet Jesus, I hope he’s given a wide berth if he’s operating any kind vehicle (even the non-motorized kind).

  19. MJM says:

    They are for all intents and purposes, separated. I wondered why they were together in the pandemic and it’s interesting to learn it was a cost covering measure. Philip wants to be with Penny Braithwaite and the Queen apparently tolerates this relationship and has for years.

  20. Harper says:

    Is Willileaks now reduced to squealing on his Grandma and Grandpa’s marital woes to the Sun?

  21. ravynrobyn says:

    @ HARPER-Dead ☠☠

  22. Lightpurple says:

    The man is 99 years old. Do we have any idea of the state of his cognitive abilities at this point?

    • Sid says:

      No clue about his cognitive abilities now but I was rather amazed at how spry he looked at the Sussexes’ wedding a couple of years ago. I would love to be able to move that well at age 97, and I believe he had even had surgery only weeks before.

  23. candy says:

    This has to be the…oddest royal story of the year? What are they even trying to explain? Wood farm sounds pretty awesome, I would totally want to live there, although I’m not sure why two people need 24 staff between them.

  24. KellyRyan says:

    He’s at the caregiver stage and she isn’t far behind. Both are divorced from the people in the UK. The family photo of Betty with a purse on her arm. 🙂 Betty and Phillip BRF props. 🙂

  25. Dl says:

    Petty Betty needs to quit pinching dam pennies. She has enough of her own money to let the 99 yr old who served his country at her side for 64 freaking years live wherever he wants til he dies. Good grief pay those people out of your own dam pocket. You can’t take it with you and Charles doesn’t need it.

  26. Nyro says:

    All this to keep up appearances. They’ve basically been “divorced” since the early seventies. He’s nearly 100. Let him live as he pleases.

    • Lizzie says:

      Really, if any couple married for that length of time had the same financial resources I bet most would be living separately or taking loooong separate vacations.

  27. Valiantly Varnished says:

    I don’t blame him. The man is 99 years old. Let him live in peace where he wants to live.

  28. Mariane says:

    What a waste of taxpayers money. These people hate each other so much that they cant stand to be in a big 100 room castle!! If lizzy wasnt a queen they would’ve divorced long time ago.

    • candy says:

      Lol…to add to that, you know you’re filthy rich when your castle has an entirely separate farm on it, with its own five-bedroom house.

  29. SM says:

    Seriously, the monarchy should be dismantled. This is some petty shit, it’s not like they are in quarantine in a one bedroom apartment or even a normal house. They could be fine to be stuck in one of those mousalieums they call castles/cottages/residences and not cross paths once. This is truly ridiculous.

  30. notasugarhere says:

    If they need to be together-but-apart for security or staff reasons? They could move him to Garden House at Windsor. It is empty since the Queen’s cousin and friend Lady Margaret Rhodes passed away. Or I’m sure someone will insist he could live at Frogmore Cottage.

  31. Linda says:

    A marriage in name only at this point.

    • Julia K. says:

      Most long marriages are “in name only” if you’re talking about sex. After many years together, couples sometimes enjoy time apart, knowing that they are together while not needing to be in close proximity. Lots of shared history and memories.

  32. Bread and Circuses says:

    Honestly, at 100, he may be having trouble remembering where he is, and the more familiarity, the better.

    But they do have a lot of security needs, and probably more financial issues than they let on, so I can see how it might shake out this way. Especially since the queen is the one who is still working (and, of course, that she’s the queen); she gets veto power.

  33. Jen says:

    What’s this about a mistress??? First im hearing of penny

  34. cisne says:

    the crutchy old goat should be left to die by his lonesome…but it seems like that is what he wants and that is not giving it him unlesd she has to.

  35. February-Pisces says:

    I always forget that the queen still has a man. She kind of acts like she’s been widowed for years. Anyway let Philip enjoy the rest of his days with his mistress, he’s had over 70 years with the queen.

    One thing I will say is that these royal mistresses are loyal AF. This penny lady had been knocking around with big Phil since the 70s. He doesn’t seem to care now who knows about them. The fact she’s still with him ever though he actually almost 100 is quite something. I think Willie sees this and thinks ‘if Phil can spend decades banging the same woman on the side, then so can he”.

  36. marn112 says:

    These two cannot win no matter what they do.The Queen is continuing to work which has its own issues -.She can’t be physically remote forever.So they decided to create one “bubble ” at Windsor which is likely a more palatable choice then Buck House. (Anyone who has lived there seems not to be a fan. ) .My view is that these two are happy in their fashion and they don’t have to explain their relationship to anyone .I secretly think that Philip has had serious health issues for years and it may be that being in the middle of Norfolk , some 2 and a half hours out of London is not a great idea .Maybe they want to be closer to their grand and great- grand children. If they had left it with their original plan, then there would be criticism aka howls as to the cost of two bubbles .