September 17, 2021
15:38
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A British judge has classified Prince Philip’s will for at least 90 years, world news agencies reported.
Queen Elizabeth II’s husband died in April at the age of 99.
According to Judge Andrew McFarlane, the Duke of Edinburgh’s will should not be disclosed to protect the “dignity” of his widow. The marriage of Philip and the British queen lasted more than seven decades.
Wills are public documents in Britain, but for about a century it has been accepted that those of high-ranking royalty remain secret by decision of the Supreme Court.
Judge McFarlane ordered Prince Philip’s last written will not to be declassified for 90 years. It can then be decided whether to publish the document.
“It is necessary to provide greater protection of the privacy of this limited group of people in order to preserve the dignity of the sovereign and close family members,” the judge said.
He emphasizes that he has not seen or been informed of the contents of the will of the late Duke of Edinburgh.
McFarlane also said that as chairman of the Supreme Court’s family law chamber, he was responsible for the security of 30 envelopes, each containing the last will of the deceased members of the British royal family. Among them are the wills of Queen Mother Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, who died in 2002, notes BTA.
