All of the Castles and Palaces Prince Philip Called Home

Photo credit: Education Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: Education Images - Getty Images
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Earlier today, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. At 99 years old, Philip was the longest-serving consort of a British Monarch, his wife of 73 years, Queen Elizabeth II.

Though Philip had somewhat of a turbulent and transient early life—his family was exiled from his native Greece when he was a baby and the Duke spent holidays from boarding school in a rotation of locations—his birth into the Greek and Danish royal families and subsequent marriage to a young Princess Elizabeth meant that he called some fairly remarkable residences home. Below, we’ve rounded up six dwellings the Duke of Edinburgh resided in from his birth in 1921 until his death in 2021.

Mon Repos

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Prince Philip was born on June 10, 1921 at Mon Repos, an 18th century villa in Corfu, Greece that belonged to the Greek Royal Family—that is, until they were forced out of the country due to a military uprising, when the prince was just 18 months old. Mon Repos is also where one of Prince Philip’s sisters, Sophie, was born, in 1914. This property served as a summer home to the British Lord High Commissioner of the United States of the Ionian Islands, Frederick Adam, and his second wife, Diamantina Palatino, from 1828 to 1831. Come 1833, the villa became a school of fine arts. 30 years later, in 1863, Empress Elisabeth of Austria stayed here, and she loved the island of Corfu so much that she had her own palace built there, known as the Achilleion Palace, which is now open to the public for tours.

This villa got its name—Mon Repos, meaning “My Rest” in French—from King George I of Greece, one of many Greek royals who used this dwelling as a summer residence from the 1860s to the 1960s. Since then, the historic property was restored in the 1990s.

Windsor Castle

Photo credit: Chris J Ratcliffe - Getty Images
Photo credit: Chris J Ratcliffe - Getty Images

Built in the 11th century, Windsor Castle is both the largest and longest-occupied castle in all of Europe. It boasts more than 1,000 rooms, and it’s home to numerous paintings, furnishings, and armor from the Royal Collection. Ever since Queen Elizabeth II took the throne in 1952, Windsor Castle has served as her and her husband’s weekend retreat.

Windsor Castle’s East Terrace Garden was, at one point, restored by Prince Philip himself, following its use as a victory garden during World War II, during which it was tended to by Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret. Just last year, this famed garden was open to the public for the first time in 40 years.

As revealed in a statement from Queen Elizabeth II earlier today, Prince Philip died at Windsor Castle. And, as per his wishes, the castle will be his resting place, given that he did not want a State Funeral nor did he want to lay in state, according to the College of Arms.

Wood Farm at Sandringham Estate

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Although Sandringham Estate is best known for its main property, Sandringham House, Prince Philip chose a more modest dwelling on the estate—known as Wood Farm—as his new residence following his retirement from public life in 2017. His wife, Queen Elizabeth II, famously spends the winter holiday season at Sandringham House, which was turned into a drive-in movie theater this past September.

Wood Farm is a humble (but sizable) five-bedroom cottage, and it was Prince Philip’s primary residence from 2017 to 2020, until the COVID-19 pandemic prompted him to move back home to Windsor Castle, according to Vanity Fair.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Photo credit: AGF - Getty Images
Photo credit: AGF - Getty Images

The official Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth II, the Palace at Holyroodhouse, was built between 1671 to 1678 for King Charles II of Scotland—and it’s where Prince Philip and the Queen typically spent part of their summers. Following the Duke’s death earlier today, the Cabinet Office is asking the public to not lay flowers at royal residences like the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Balmoral Castle, due to COVID-19-related safety protocols.

According to The Scotsman, a spokesperson for the Cabinet Office said, “Although this is an extraordinarily difficult time for many, we are asking the public not to gather at Royal Residences, and continue to follow public health advice particularly on avoiding meeting in large groups and on minimising travel.”

Buckingham Palace

Photo credit: Pawel Libera - Getty Images
Photo credit: Pawel Libera - Getty Images

Perhaps the most famous royal residence, Buckingham Palace was also one of Prince Philip’s most frequented homes. This 775-room property—which boasts the largest private garden in London—was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, and it was originally called Buckingham House. Over time, this palace has been added to and made even more expansive, including an addition of three wings in the 19th century. Since 1837, this historic neoclassical-style structure has served as the official London residence of the British monarchy, beginning with Queen Victoria. Buckingham Palace will open for tours again on April 17th.

Balmoral Castle

Photo credit: Jane Barlow - PA Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jane Barlow - PA Images - Getty Images

Last year, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip spent their final summer together at Balmoral Castle, a Scottish royal residence that has been part of the English monarchy since the 1800s. It’s also where Prince Charles and Camila, Duchess of Cornwall, stayed following Charles’s bout with COVID-19 in March last year. Balmoral has served as a holiday home for the Royal Family since 1852, when Prince Albert purchased the original castle and its estate for his wife, Queen Victoria.

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