Prince Philip's death certificate confirms Duke of Edinburgh's cause of death

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
(Image credit: Getty)

Prince Philip's death certificate confirms Duke of Edinburgh's exact cause of death, as the document's contents are revealed.

Prince Philip's death certificate confirms the Duke died simply of 'old age'.

The Queen's husband, who was aged 99 when he died on 9th April at his home at Windsor Castle.

Prince Philip was hospitalised back in February after feeling 'unwell' and after a month-long stay, he returned home following a successful heart operation.

At the time of his death, Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Philip had died "peacefully" at Windsor Castle.

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Prince Philip's death certificate, what does it say?

According to the certificate, obtained by The Daily Telegraph, the official death notice stated that Prince Philip cause of death was "old age" and had been certified by Sir Huw Thomas, head of the royal medical household, and suggests there was no identifiable disease or injury that contributed to the death.

When it comes to recording cause of death on such death certificates, the term 'old age' is accepted as a cause of death providing the patient is over 80 and if the doctor has personally cared for the patient for a long period of time and has seen a gradual decline in their health.

Prince Philip pictured leaving hospital

(Image credit: Getty)

Prince Philip cause of death means that Prince Philip's stay in King Edward VII's hospital in central London had no link to his death, even though he was treated for an infection and had a heart operation at St Bartholomew’s Hospital for a pre-existing heart condition. He had been transferred there on 1st March to have the procedure and later returned back to King Edward VII.

The Duke’s death was registered with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead by his private secretary, Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell, on April 13, four days after he passed away.

The death certificate also listed Prince Philip's first occupation Naval Officer, while his second is "husband of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, The Sovereign." And his full name appears on the certificate as, "His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh formerly known as Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark formerly known as Philip Mountbatten."

Prince Philip was due to celebrate his 100th birthday this summer and had received his Covid-19 vaccine in January alongside the Queen, now aged 95.

The Duke's funeral was held last month and was limited to 30 guests, and was held at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)