Prince Philip is planning to live separately from Queen Elizabeth yet again and he could move out of the royal residences after his 100th birthday this spring.
According to Daily Express, the Duke of Edinburgh might return to Wood Farm in Sandringham after June 10, his centennial birthday. Queen Elizabeth, on the other hand, might finally move back to London in Buckingham Palace and resume in-person engagements nearly a year since she isolated from the coronavirus in Windsor Castle.
This is not unusual for the royal pair to live in different houses since the Queen and Philip are so used to this living arrangement for so long. In their seven decades of marriage, the real secret to their relationship's longevity is that they live apart.
Since his retirement in 2017, Philip has been holed up in his country estate in Sandringham, where he tends to his farm. Sources said that the Duke of Edinburgh prefers the quiet in the countryside than the busy life in Buckingham Palace, where his wife is usually attending meetings and royal engagements.
In this pandemic, however, Queen Elizabeth and her husband were never apart nor separated from each other. Because of their vulnerable age, the royal staff had to make sure that Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh remain protected under a bubble, where everyone had to observe strict health protocols. Last October, Queen Elizabeth agreed to stay for two weeks in Wood Farm while her husband tended to his estate.
Meanwhile, Philip is said to be against a special celebration for this 100th birthday. Palace aides said that he's a "reluctant celebrant" but the milestone is very important for the royal family since he is the only male royal in history to reach such an impressive age.
According to royal doctor Anna Hemming, Philip is still physically and mentally active for his age. It helped that he was active in sports for most of his life. The Queen's husband loved playing hockey, cricket, rowing and polo in his younger years.
Philip also follows a protein-packed diet of eggs and smoked haddock. He also relishes a laid-back lifestyle, especially now that he has retired from public service.
With his plans of a move, it's unclear if the Duke of Edinburgh will show up at the Trooping the Colour parade, which will take place on June 12. The parade marks the return of major events for the royal family and while preparations have been underway, palace staffers said that they will still follow the government's COVID-19 protocols.