Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip will be celebrating their 73rd anniversary this year. They have been each other's rock, weathering all the storms and solving all their problems - family and the monarchy - together. But despite their love and commitment to each other, why does this iconic royal couple doesn't live under the same roof?
Her Majesty is still a hardworking royal despite her age of 93. The Duke of Edinburgh, on the other hand, is already retired and now 96.
Prince Philip did a whopping number of royal engagements during his years of service. He undertook 22,191 solo royal duties and gave 5,493 speeches before he stepped down in August 2017, Express noted.
Queen Elizabeth called her husband her "strength and stay." Things may still be the same, although the two don't live together anymore.
As a working royal, Queen Elizabeth stays at the Buckingham Palace to do her royal duties. Prince Philip, alternatively, is on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to enjoy his retirement. He lives at Wood Farm cottage so that he has time to relax. He usually paints, reads, and rides a horse and carriage around the estate if the weather is warm.
So why are they separated? Prince Philip is in Norfolk to avoid being involved in any royal issues in London with Queen Elizabeth.
A courtier told Daily Mail in 2017 that Queen Elizabeth knew Prince Philip needed a proper retirement. The monarch knows her husband too well. If he is still at Buckingham Palace, he will feel the need to get involved. Now that he is at Wood Farm, he will be far enough to avoid meddling with royal issues and just relax.
However, it is not far Queen Elizabeth misses Prince Philip by her side, especially with all the issues surrounding the royal family. "I'm sure it's been good for his health not to be there getting involved in the day-to-day stresses and strains, but I think the queen has missed his hands-on approach to family matters," a source said.
If Prince Philip is only at the palace, he would be the stronger voice that would give Prince Andrew some advice with all the scandals he is being through. Anyhow, Queen Elizabeth still sees Prince Philip on some occasions.
Their recent meeting was during her Christmas break as royal Christmases are usually spent on the Sandringham Estate. Queen Elizabeth also extended her winter recess until after Feb. 6, her father's, King George VI, death anniversary.
