Prince Philip's Will To Be Kept Secret For 90 Years

CREDIT: nbcnews.com

It has been revealed that the will of Prince Philip will be kept secret for at least 90 years to protect the "dignity" of Queen Elizabeth II.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division of the High Court, ruled the order recently.

McFarlane has not seen or been told the contents of the will. All he was aware of was the execution date and name of its appointed executor.

He ruled that a private process can be held after the 90-year period, in order to determine if said documents should be revealed.

"I have held that, because of the constitutional position of the Sovereign, it is appropriate to have a special practice in relation to royal wills. There is a need to enhance the protection afforded to truly private aspects of the lives of this limited group of individuals in order to maintain the dignity of the Sovereign and close members of her family."

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McFarlane reportedly held a hearing with lawyers representing the late Duke of Edinburgh's estate and the attorney general, representing the public's interest.

This meeting was held in private as it would have "generated very significant publicity and conjecture that would defeat the purpose of the application."

"I accepted the submission that, whilst there may be public curiosity as to the private arrangements that a member of the Royal Family may choose to make in their will, there is no true public interest in the public knowing this wholly private information."

For almost a century, it has been customary that the wills of senior royals be kept secret.

McFarlane is the most senior judge in the family courts, therefore he acts as the custodian of a safe that holds over 30 envelopes, each containing the will of a deceased royal family member.

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Prince Philip passed away on April 9th at Windsor Castle, at the age of 99. 

"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

A funeral was held on April 17th. He is survived by Queen Elizabeth II, his wife of 73 years, and their children, daughter Princess Anne and three sons Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

He also left behind eight grandchildren, including Prince William and Prince Harry, and many great-grandchildren including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie, Lilibet Diana, and August, Princess Eugenie's son.