King Charles has opened up about the final conversation he shared with his father, Prince Philip, just hours before the Duke of Edinburgh’s death five years ago.
Prince Philip passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle on this day in 2021 at the age of 99. In a heartfelt documentary commemorating his life, King Charles reflected on their last interaction, which perfectly captured the late Duke’s sharp wit and playful humor.
Speaking candidly in the BBC program, King Charles recalled mentioning Philip’s upcoming 100th birthday and the possibility of a celebration. Conscious of his father’s hearing difficulties, Charles spoke clearly and loudly, emphasizing: “We’re talking about your birthday! And whether there’s going to be a reception!”
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Philip responded with his trademark dry humor: “Well, I’ve got to be alive for it, haven’t I?” Charles smiled and said, “I knew you’d say that!”
Despite the somber context, Charles cherishes the exchange as a joyful and precious final memory with his father.
Royal biographer Katie Nicholl, in her 2022 book The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown, revealed another deeply moving moment between father and son shortly before Philip’s death. During one of their last meetings, Philip entrusted Charles with a heartfelt request: “Whatever you do, promise me you will take care of your mother.” Charles was visibly emotional upon hearing this plea.
Following Philip’s passing, then-Prince Charles paid tribute to his father outside his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, saying, “As you can imagine, my family and I miss my father enormously.”
He described Philip as “a much-loved and appreciated figure,” and expressed how deeply touched the family was by the outpouring of sympathy from around the world, including the Commonwealth.
Charles added, “My dear papa was a very special person who I think above all else would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him. From that point of view, we are deeply grateful for all that. It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time.”