The High Court of Judiciary has ruled: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Will contents will remain private for at least 90 years. The court has already awarded probate.
This legal move aims to protect the Queen and other royal family members from “public speculation and guessing.” This is not a new practice in royal circles.
Prince Philip’s Royal Will: A Century of Sealing
Prince Philip’s Royal Will rests in a vault. It joins 29 other such documents. Sir Andrew McFarlane manages this. He serves as president of the High Court’s Family Division and holds recognition as a senior judge in those courts.
Sir Andrew concluded on Thursday that specific officials will unseal and examine a royal testament after 90 years. These include the monarch’s private solicitor, the keeper of the Royal Archives, the attorney general, and any remaining personal representatives of the deceased. At that time, they will decide whether to make the Duke’s will public.
A professional archivist should unseal a royal document. This prevents damage to the documents and their seals. Sir Andrew also stated that some royal wills could potentially remain unpublished indefinitely.
Recent Disputed Royal Wills
The wills of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, the current Queen’s sister, recently joined the collection. Princess Margaret died in February 2002 at 71. The Queen Mother passed away a month later at 101. In 2007, a man named Robert Andrew Brown claimed to be Princess Margaret’s illegitimate child. He sued to breach the documents’ privacy. The court denied his plea to make both wills public.
Diana, Princess of Wales’ will became public after her death in 1997. It bequeathed her wealth to her sons, William and Harry. The funds remained in trust until they reached age 25. For more on notable wills, you can research historical probate records. [Outbound link example: Link to a reputable genealogical or historical society’s page on famous wills, e.g., National Archives UK if relevant content exists].
Sealing Royal Wills: A Long-Standing Tradition
Normally, a will becomes public after probate, executor designation, and distribution. However, sealing the testaments of senior royal family members dates back over a century. Prince Philip’s Royal Will was sealed in July following a private court appeal. In 90 years, a similar procedure will unfold. Officials will either make the document public or keep it sealed.
Sir Andrew overturned the Queen’s solicitor and attorney general. They had requested a 125-year time limit.
A Historic First for Sealed Royal Wills
History was made at the application hearing, however. This marks the first time officials have presented the option of accessing a sealed Royal Will at a later date.
Sir Andrew remarked, “Given the constitutional position of the Sovereign, I have determined that it is acceptable to develop a specific practise in connection with royal wills.”
“To protect the Sovereign’s dignity and that of her family members, we need to improve the protection for truly private aspects of this tiny group of people’s lives.”
Sir Andrew acknowledged the private nature of the application to seal the will. This avoided public curiosity and interest. In any instance, the Attorney General presided over the meeting as the public face. He judged the Will’s contents to be “not truly in the public interest.” You can find more information about the role of the Attorney General on the UK government’s website. [Outbound link example].
A Secret Will Preserved Mary Queen of Scots’ Honour
In 1509, Prince Francis reportedly transferred priceless emeralds, beloved by his wife, Mary Queen of Scots, to his mistress, the Countess of Kilmorey. This incident later necessitated sealing royal testaments.
Prince Francis of Teck became the first member of the current Royal Family to have his will sealed. He died in 1910. He was Queen Mary’s younger brother.
Make Your Will Today
Are you thinking about making a will? It’s never too late to reassure yourself and your loved ones. Ensure your financial affairs are in good hands.
If you’d like to learn more about drafting or changing a will, contact IWC Probate Services. We can visit your home and guide you through the process. We also offer an online service, starting at £120 + VAT. For details on creating your own will or navigating probate regulation, visit our dedicated pages. [Internal link examples].
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