Queen Elizabeth And Prince Philip Appear to Lead Separate Lives And May Not Even Eat Breakfast Together

While they’ve been married for 71 years, it seems that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip lead separate lives, and don’t find themselves hanging out together as much.

According to the Daily Mail, the Duke of Edinburgh, 97, is flying solo these days, especially since his wife, 92, still plays a very active role as monarch. And now that Philip has retired from official royal duties, and with his grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry, taking on more responsibilities, he has been spending more time on Windsor and Wood Farm, the latter which is a furnished cottage on the Sandringham estate, according to the outlet. An old acquaintance also reveals, “He is enjoying reading things he’s always wanted to read and gets up to what he wants without an equerry telling him he has to be elsewhere, or a camera following him.”

Even though they may be spending more time apart, that doesn’t mean that the Queen has shut her husband out completely, as she apparently still goes out of her way to show him love and gratitude. A courtier explains, “The Queen feels the Duke has earned a proper retirement. She knows him too well — if he was still at the centre of royal life he’d feel he had to be involved.” They add, “Being at Wood Farm means that he’s not too far away, but far enough to be able to relax.”

The couple also appear to have fallen into a marriage routine that works for them, even while not crossing paths much. The pair may even have breakfast on their own. The outlet reveals that the Queen not only eats by herself, but is rarely seen before her 11 a.m. meeting with her private secretary. It is said that Prince Andrew and the Countess of Wessex have been spending more time with the Queen since her husband retired. Well it seems that when Philip is at Wood Farm it’s his time to be with himself, but when he’s at Windsor, he and his wife get reacquainted. At this age, for the both of them, this is a situation that is apparently working.

On Thursday, January 17, the Duke was involved in a scary car crash, but he thankfully was not injured. The Queen was not in the vehicle when the accident occurred, but we really do hope she’s by his side as he recovers.

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