Prince Philips’ cancer: Royal’s final moments battling pancreatic cancer come out

Prince Philip had lived with this disease for over eight years before he finally passed

By H. Anjum
|
Published March 30, 2026
Prince Philips’ cancer: Royal’s final moments battling pancreatic cancer come out

Not just Queen Elizabeth, or King Charles, or Kate Middleton but the Royal Family had a slew of cancer related woes well before anyone found anything out. The most shocking of them is that of Prince Philip, for it was kept under wraps for years, and has only come out in Hugo Vickers new book Queen Elizabeth II.

The book details his journey battling this inoperable pancreatic cancer, and it began in June 2013, insider a private London Clinic in Marylebone according to the new book.

What Happens During Pancreatic Cancer?

Advertisement

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the pancreas. The pancreas lies behind the lower part of the stomach. It makes enzymes that help digest food and hormones that help manage blood sugar.”

Also, “pancreatic cancer rarely is found at its early stages when the chance of curing it is greatest. This is because it often doesn't cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.”

Separately, what’s also pertinent to mention is that this finding reveals the prince hadn’t died from “old age” as his death certificate stated, instead he had lived with cancer for nearly eight years by that point, “far longer than the usual survival time from diagnosis” Mr Vickers writes.

Prince Philip's funeral procession


Final Day of Prince Philip’s Life:

The day Prince Philip died, was one that included a cold beer and a shower, in the Oak Room of his home. According to the book “the following morning, he got up, had a bath, said he did not feel well and quietly slipped away.”

Because he had walked out, his wife, the late Queen Elizabeth II was unable to be by his side as he passed. But as Mr Vickers notes, “There had often been times in earlier days when she had asked the staff to let her know when Philip was leaving, only to be told, ‘His Royal Highness left 20 minutes ago’. She took the line, I was told, that she was ‘absolutely furious that, as so often in life, he left without saying goodbye’.”

Official Account of Prince Philip’s Death by the Royal Family:

Only one official account exists of his death, and it was shared back in 2021, his daughter-in-law Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.

According to her, “it was right for him. It was so gentle. It was just like somebody took him by the hand and off he went. Very, very peaceful and that’s all you want for somebody isn’t it?”

H. Anjum
H. Anjum is a News Editor at The News International (Digital) with over five years of newsroom experience. She is a media graduate specialising in British royal coverage, reporting on monarchies, traditions, and modern royal life. She also writes on fashion, movies and TV shows with contemporary relevance for a global audience.
Share this story:
Advertisement