Such were the last days of Duke Philippe of Edinburgh

Fuentes de Palacio assured that, in his last days of life, the duke enjoyed moments of joy and lucidity that allowed him to be in the company of Isabel II, they even told two funny anecdotes; one of them, when it seems that the duke dropped some glasses and a companion rushed to pick them up.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Prince Philip, raising his arm, “I will.” And he did. Another is when the queen was heard in the Palace making sure that her husband refused to use her hearing aid: “It means we will have to shout,” she told royal officials and assistants.

After spending 28 days in hospital last month, on his return home, the duke was locked in his room, although when he felt better, he put on his shirt and sweater, pants and shoes, although he had the help of an assistant, on several occasions he could still do it alone.

There were days in the Palace when he hardly walked with a cane. “Take that thing out of my eyes,” he said one day to his assistant, who brought him a wheelchair. Even so, there were times when he asked to be taken into a chair for fresh air. In those moments he fell asleep and, beside him, there was always Queen Elizabeth.