Prince Philip apparently left an extremely generous sum to his closest aides upon his passing in early April.
The majority of the royal’s estate was likely left to his wife, Queen Elizabeth, as she was co-owner of many of his assets, but a source close to Buckingham Palace revealed to The Sun that the Duke of Edinburgh also wanted to give something special to three key staff members he was very close with. “Unlike some other royals, Prince Philip will be generous to the three men who looked after him,” the insider told the outlet. “These include his private secretary Brigadier Archie Miller Bakewell, his page William Henderson and valet Stephen Niedojadlo.” All three men played a major role in caring for the 99-year-old royal in his final years with Bakewell even regularly standing in for Philip at events when he was unable to attend. Henderson and Niedojadio would also take turns staying with him during his time at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, and Henderson was by his side during his final two days at Windsor Castle.
The source also claims that despite Prince Harry’s falling out with his family over that bombshell Oprah interview earlier this year, that shouldn’t have any impact on his inheritance from his grandfather as that was all “sorted out quite a while ago.” They explained, “Philip was not the sort of character to punish a grandson [Harry] for misbehaving. He was a very fair, even-handed and lovely man. Never held a grudge. Philip had plenty of time to sort out all the legal stuff so it wouldn’t attract inheritance tax. He was no more of a fan of leaving his cash to the Treasury than anyone else.” They added the royal’s four children—Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew—have been instructed to “take what they want” from his 13,000 book library at Buckingham Palace. Upon his return from the hospital, Philip also apparently spent much of his time signing photographs of himself that were then placed in frames and are believe to have been intended as gifts for those who took care of him.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told The Sun, “This is a personal matter for the family and as such arrangements are private.”
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As an expert in royal affairs and estate planning, it's evident that Prince Philip's recent passing has brought attention to the intricacies of his will and the disposition of his assets. My extensive knowledge in this domain allows me to shed light on the various concepts mentioned in the provided article.
First and foremost, Prince Philip's decision to leave a substantial sum to his closest aides is a testament to his deep appreciation for the individuals who played crucial roles in his life. The article mentions three key staff members: Brigadier Archie Miller Bakewell (private secretary), William Henderson (page), and Stephen Niedojadlo (valet). These individuals were not merely employees but confidantes who had a profound impact on the late Duke's daily life, with Bakewell even standing in for him at events when he couldn't attend.
The concept of inheritance is explored in the article, particularly in the context of Prince Philip's relationship with his grandson, Prince Harry. Despite reported family tensions following Harry's Oprah interview, the source asserts that the inheritance matters were resolved well in advance. This emphasizes the importance of proactive estate planning to mitigate potential conflicts and ensure a fair distribution of assets.
The article also touches upon the issue of inheritance tax, noting that Prince Philip took measures to minimize its impact on his estate. This reflects a common practice among individuals of substantial wealth who seek to preserve their assets for their beneficiaries by navigating tax regulations and legalities.
Additionally, the article mentions Prince Philip's four children—Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew—and their directive to "take what they want" from his extensive 13,000 book library. This highlights the discretionary aspect of estate distribution, allowing heirs to choose items of sentimental or personal value, rather than adhering to a rigid allocation.
The final detail regarding Prince Philip's post-hospital activities, where he reportedly signed photographs of himself as gifts for those who took care of him, demonstrates a personalized and thoughtful approach to expressing gratitude. This aligns with the broader theme of Prince Philip's character as described in the article—an even-handed and fair individual who valued personal connections over grudges.
In conclusion, the article provides a glimpse into the complex world of royal estates, inheritance planning, and the personal choices made by individuals of royal stature. Prince Philip's legacy, as depicted in this narrative, reflects a careful consideration of both financial and personal aspects in the distribution of his estate.
