Prince Philip is today celebrating yet another impressive birthday milestone, as he turns 98.
The Duke of Edinburgh is celebrating his second birthday since retiring from public life back in 2017, and it seems the Queen’s husband will be marking the special day in the best way he knows how.
According to the Express, the Duke now spends most of his time between Wood Farm cottage on the Sandringham Estate, and Windsor Castle, as he enjoys his retirement.
Prince Philips spends much of his time carriage riding around the various estates, as well as reading, painting, and meeting friends from across the UK.
So it’s likely that he may spend today, his 98th birthday, doing much of the same, as well celebrating the special day with the Queen too.
Across the UK, official celebrations will also take place to mark the consort’s big day. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will stage a 41-gun salute for Philip at midday today, whilst the Army in London will fire a 62-gun royal salute at the Tower of London, at 1pm.
Prince Philip was noticably absent from the weekend’s Trooping the Colour ceremony in the capital, celebrating the Queen’s official birthday.
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His absence was pretty much expected, given that he no longer completes official royal duties. Over the past year, he has however come out of retirement in order to attend three royal weddings – the first, Prince Harry and Meghan’s, then, Princess Eugenie’s in October, and Lady Gabriella Windsor’s back in April.
Of course, he and the Queen also recently welcomed their eighth great-grandchild, baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Prince Harry and Meghan’s baby son.
The Duke will be nearby Harry and Meghan’s Frogmore Cottage home, as he spends half of his time during retirement at Windsor Castle.
The other half is spend in Sandringham, Norfolk – but Prince Philip’s preference for the quieter life now means that he and the Queen, who is often busy with royal duties and so based at Buckingham Palace, spend much of their time apart.
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Charlie Proctor, editor of Royal Central, told the Daily Star, “Unlike most married couples, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh often live miles apart, with Prince Philip spending hardly any time at Buckingham Palace these days.
“This is down to the fact that he is now retired and would rather live in one of his other homes. Buckingham Palace has always been viewed as a workplace by the Duke.
“It is in the middle of noisy Central London, and perhaps doesn’t offer the same peaceful tranquility as Windsor Castle or Sandringham House.”
