Did Prince Philip really cheat on Queen Elizabeth?

There have been various rumors and allegations of infidelity against Prince Philip but emphasizes that there has never been concrete evidence to confirm these claims. As such, it remains speculative whether Prince Philip was unfaithful to Queen Elizabeth II.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II shared a long-lasting union that spanned over seven decades. Their official engagement was announced in July 1947 and they subsequently got married in November of the same year. Despite being in the public eye with their every move documented, their relationship was marked by a remarkable level of privacy and solidarity. The couple, who were distant cousins, had a long courtship before their marriage and went on to have four children.

However, throughout their marriage, there were persistent rumours of infidelity on Prince Philip’s part. These allegations, often reported by the media, linked the late Duke of Edinburgh to a number of women. Despite the growing list of supposed mistresses, there has been no concrete evidence to confirm these claims. Prince Philip himself famously addressed these rumours in 2017, questioning the plausibility of having an affair given his constant surveillance. Yet, these allegations have remained, casting a shadow of speculation over an otherwise enduring royal romance.

Historical Instances of Royal Infidelity

Royal infidelity has been a topic of public interest and speculation for centuries, with several high-profile instances making headlines. One prominent example is the affair between King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla. During Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana, the world was shocked when details of his liaison with Camilla Parker Bowles became public. The affair caused a significant scandal, and it was many years before the public were ready to accept Camilla as an official member of the royal family.

Another noteworthy instance of alleged royal infidelity occurred in the 1960s, known as the Profumo Affair. Although not involving a royal directly, it was a scandal that involved several prominent and wealthy men, including the then Secretary of State for War, John Profumo. The men were said to have engaged in intercourse with recruited prostitutes, causing a significant political and public scandal. However, there’s no evidence to suggest that Prince Philip was ever linked to this scandal.

Allegations and Rumors Surrounding Prince Philip

Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, faced numerous rumors of infidelity throughout his life. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, several women were named as potential mistresses of the prince. The speculated list includes stage actress Pat Kirkwood, TV personality Katie Boyle, singer Hélène Cordet, actor Merle Oberon, novelist Daphne du Maurier, Princess Alexandra (the Queen’s cousin), and the Duchess of Abercorn. Kirkwood, a famous actress from the 1930s and 40s, met Philip on several occasions and had to deal with persistent rumors of an affair, though she always denied they had a romantic relationship.

In addition to the rumors, Philip’s alleged infidelity was also dramatized in popular culture, such as in the Netflix series The Crown. The show implies extramarital relations but does not provide direct evidence of his infidelity. Philip himself addressed the rumors in a cheeky manner, questioning how he could have an affair when he was always accompanied by a policeman. Biographer Sarah Bradford claimed Philip had “full-blown affairs,” but close confidants of the royal maintained that while Philip admired women, he never acted on those feelings. Nonetheless, the absence of definitive proof has left the matter largely to speculation and rumor.

Prince Philip’s Relations with Pat Kirkwood

Prince Philip was rumored to have had a relationship with well-known stage actress Pat Kirkwood, who was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry during the 1930s and 40s. The pair were known to have met on several occasions, prompting rampant rumors of a romantic entanglement, dubbed “the Prince and the showgirl”, even though Kirkwood consistently denied that they had a romantic relationship. According to Michael Thornton, a friend of Kirkwood who later came into possession of letters exchanged between her and Philip, there was no language within these letters to suggest they were anything more than friends.

However, the rumors had a significant impact on Kirkwood’s reputation and career. The persistent gossip surrounding her alleged relationship with the Prince defined her work for years, and despite her efforts to quash the rumors, Philip and the Palace did not intervene. Kirkwood expressed her dissatisfaction with Philip’s lack of action, stating, “A lady is not normally expected to defend her honor. It is the gentleman who should do that. I would have had a happier and easier life if Prince Philip, instead of coming uninvited to my dressing room, had gone home to his pregnant wife on the night in question.” Despite the controversy, no solid evidence of an affair between the two has ever been confirmed.

Prince Philip’s Responses to Allegations

Prince Philip consistently denied allegations of infidelity throughout his life. One of his most notable responses came in 2017, when he addressed the rumours directly. He argued that the constant police presence in his life, which had been the case for over 40 years, made it practically impossible for him to engage in any extramarital affairs. He rhetorically asked a journalist, “Have you ever stopped to think that, for the past 40 years, I have never moved anywhere without a policeman accompanying me? So how the hell could I get away with anything like that?”

In addition to this, Philip’s longtime private secretary, Michael Parker, also defended the Duke of Edinburgh. He stated unequivocally that “Philip has been one hundred percent faithful to the queen. No ifs, no buts.” These firm denials, along with the lack of any substantial evidence to support the allegations, have left the issue largely unresolved, with the rumours persisting mainly in the realm of tabloid speculation and gossip.

Supporting Evidence and Counterarguments

Over the years, Prince Philip has been implicated in public sex scandals and purportedly linked with several women, contributing to rumors of infidelity. One such scandal was the Profumo Affair, a 1960’s controversy involving notable men and prostitutes, though there is no evidence connecting Philip to this event. Another was the Parker divorce scandal, in which Philip and his private secretary, Michael Parker, were suggested to have participated in adulterous activities, with the evidence being a series of letters hinting at their sexual conquests outside of marriage. However, the authenticity of these letters has been questioned.

Counterarguments against these allegations are quite strong. Mike Parker, Philip’s longtime private secretary, declared, “Philip has been one hundred percent faithful to the queen. No ifs, no buts.” Prince Philip himself responded to rumors of infidelity by pointing out the practicality of him conducting an affair, considering his constant police accompaniment. “Good God, woman. Have you ever stopped to think that for years, I have never moved anywhere without a policeman accompanying me? So how the hell could I get away with anything like that?” he said, according to The Independent. Therefore, while the rumors persist, there is currently no substantial evidence to support the claims of Prince Philip’s infidelity.

The Impact on Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth’s Marriage

The rumours and allegations of Prince Philip’s infidelity certainly brought about significant challenges in his and Queen Elizabeth’s marriage. These allegations, often public and widely discussed, could have potentially caused strain and tension in their relationship. However, there is no actual evidence to substantiate these claims, and both Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth remained largely unperturbed by the rumours, with Prince Philip even addressing the allegations with a sense of humour.

Despite the rumours, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were able to sustain their relationship, a testament to their commitment and dedication to each other. The strength of their marriage was likely attributed to the deep understanding and respect they had for each other’s roles and responsibilities, and their shared dedication to the monarchy and public service. Prince Philip’s unyielding support of the Queen in her role as monarch demonstrated a strong partnership that appeared to defy the allegations against him. The couple navigated the challenges together, maintaining a united front that lasted over seven decades, until Prince Philip’s death in April 2021.