Prince Philip’s will to remain private to protect ‘dignity’ of the Queen, High Court rules
THE Duke of Edinburgh’s will is to remain secret for 90 years to protect the Queen’s dignity.
This follows a convention existing for more than a century that the last wishes of senior members of the Royal Family are sealed via a High Court application.
Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division, had heard legal argument from lawyers for Prince Philip’s estate and the Attorney General, representing the public.
He ordered the will is to remain sealed, saying: “There is a need to enhance the protection afforded to private lives of this group to maintain the dignity of the Sovereign and her family.
“There may be public curiosity as to the private arrangements the Royal Family may choose to make but there is no true interest in knowing this.”
Normally wills are open for public inspection.
Philip died on April 9 just two months short of his 100th birthday.