Against Own Wish, Prince Philip is Now 98!

Having celebrated his birthday days ago, the Duke of Edinburgh is now just two years away of his centenary.

Prince Philip, however, might not be happy with this.

[caption id="attachment_58758" align="aligncenter" width="417"] Prince Philip with the Queen (Archive)[/caption]

In a previous interview with Giles Brandreth for the The Daily Telegraph following the Queen Mother's centenary back in 2000, Philip revealed that he had "no desire whatsoever" to reach his 100th year. He then joked, "I can't imagine anything worse.. bits of me are falling off already."

A recent report by the British “Mirror” said that while the Duke has been retired for two years now, he still finds himself at the center of public controversy. Earlier this year, he was involved in a car crash near the Sandringham estate. Since the accident, he's voluntarily surrendered his driving licence and now pides his retirement between Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate and Windsor Castle.

Earlier reports revealed that Philip mostly busies himself by reading, painting, meeting friends and staying active. He still carriage rides and was seen at the reins at the Windsor Horse Show in May.

The duke made a rare appearance at a royal engagement early in May, joining the Queen and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough at a luncheon for Order of Merit members at Windsor Castle.

Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born on the island of Corfu on June 10 1921 to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

His Royal family went into exile following a military coup in Greece which overthrew Philip's uncle, King Constantine I. Moving to England, he stayed with relatives and study at Cheam Prep School in 1928, before spending a year at Salem School in south Germany, then finally enrolling at Gordonstoun School in Morayshire. Philip joined the Royal Navy and, while a cadet, he caught the eye of a 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth. He served with distinction during the Second World War and his friendship with the princess grew into love. They married two years after the end of the war, while she inherited the throne five years later.