The Conversation (0)
Liam O'Dell
Apr 10, 2021
A quote from the late Prince Philip in which he said he had “no desire whatsoever” to reach his 100th birthday has resurfaced following his death.
The Duke of Edinburgh passed away, aged 99, on Friday morning.
It comes almost two months before he was due to become a centenarian – his birthday being on 10 June.
However, speaking to The Daily Telegraph in 2000, the great-grandfather revealed he didn’t actually want to reach the milestone.
He told the paper: “I can’t imagine anything worse. Bits of me are falling off already.”
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News of the duke’s death emerged just after midday on April 9, as the Queen expressed her “deep sorrow” at her husband’s death.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read.
The announcement followed a period of ill health for the duke, who was admitted to King Edward VII’s hospital in February.
He was then transferred to St Bartholomew’s hospital weeks later for heart surgery, and left on March 16 following a successful procedure.
While Philip had “no desire” to reach his 100th birthday, doing so could have seen him receive a special birthday card from his own wife.
The monarch is known to send letters to British citizens when they reach the big three figures, but it’s unknown if this would have been extended to her long-serving consort.
While those receiving a state pension don’t need to apply to receive a letter, as their details are taken from private records, everyone else has to request that the Queen gets in touch - five weeks or fewer before the special day.
We’re pretty sure she would have got him his own card anyway.