Prince Philip 'Leaves Three Key' Staff Money In $42 Million Will — But Prince Harry Could Still Get Inheritance, Source Says
A royal insider says that Prince Philip has paid a final thank you to "three key men in his life by leaving them money in his will," not only this but Prince Harry could still be given an inheritance from his grandfather.
The Duke of Edinburgh passed away last month aged 99 only weeks before his 100th birthday and left behind an estimated $42 million (£30 million), The Sun reported.
Most of Philip's estate will be left to his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, sources say that his closest aides will also be rewarded.
"Unlike some other royals, Prince Philip will be generous to the three men who looked after him," an insider shared. "These include his private secretary Brigadier Archie Miller Bakewell, his page William Henderson and valet Stephen Niedojadlo."
Bakewell reportedly stood in for Philip when he couldn’t make an engagement. Henderson and Niedojadio were said to take turns to be with Philip when he stayed at Wood Farm at the royals' Sandringham Estate. Henderson was also said to be with Philip during his final two days at Windsor.
Philip’s eight grandchildren, including Prince Harry, were "sorted out quite a while ago" when it came to money, the insider said.
"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," the source said.
The source continued, "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."
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The insider explained that Philip's children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, have been told they can "take what they want" from his book collection. The Duke reportedly had 13,000 books in his library at Buckingham Palace, most of which were moved to Wood Farm, Sandringham, where Philip spent most of his time after retiring but they have since been moved back to Buckingham Palace.
After returning from his month-long stint in the hospital earlier this year, the insider said that Philip signed photographs of himself and placed them in frames as gifts for those who cared for him.
"This is a personal matter for the family and as such arrangements are private," a Buckingham Palace representative commented.
Harry was reunited with his family for the first time since stepping back as a working royal and since he and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey at Philip's funeral.
"All of my sources tell me that they [Prince Harry and Prince William] are not talking at the moment," royal expert Nick Bullen commented earlier this month.
"Although the trip inevitably had its share of awkward moments, he's generally happy with how it went," a source previously told OK! about Harry. "But the main thing is they broke the ice, and he's finally communicating properly with his family again."
Harry has since opened up more on The Me You Can't See and said on Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast that he wanted to walk away from royal life years ago.
