The heartbreaking reason the Queen and Prince Philip don't live together

The Queen and Prince Philip have been married for seven decades, but thanks to the Duke of Edinburgh's retirement, the couple are unable to live together.

• The Queen lives at Buckingham Palace, while Prince Philip resides in their Sandringham estate, which has recently been taken over by son Prince Charles. He retired in 2017 at the age of 96, and has lived at Sandringham ever since. 
• However during the global pandemic, they have been isolating together at Windsor Castle. 
• This follows royal news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are looking for an extension on their royal exit. 

Her Majesty, 93, is still a working royal, meaning she has to undertake many royal duties throughout the year.

She did many of these alongside Prince Philip, 98, but he retired in 2017.

Philip once described himself as 'the world’s most experienced plaque unveiler', as the Duke undertook 22,191 solo engagements during his royal career.

He also delivered an impressive 5,493 speeches in his almost seven decades of duties, before stepping down in August 2017.

The Queen has described Prince Philip as her 'strength and stay', but now that he is retired, they're not able to spend as much time together.

Now, the couple don't even live together, officially, however they have been isolating together at Windsor Castle, while the country has been in a national lockdown, and tiered systems since then.

Back in November, Tatler reported that Buckingham Palace had confirmed that the monarch and her husband had left Sandringham and arrived at Windsor to isolate together during the country's second national lockdown. 

Windsor is currently under Tier 3 restrictions, which means that residents are advised against any travel. 

Why don't the Queen and Prince Philip live together?

They don't live together because the Queen needs to live in Buckingham Palace so that she can undertake her royal duties.

Meanwhile, Philip is enjoying his retirement on their Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

The Duke resides at Wood Farm, a cottage on the Estate.

Philip is thought to pass the time painting, reading and driving a horse and carriage around the estate.

Why doesn't Prince Philip live at Buckingham Palace?

This is because he would reportedly still try to be 'involved' with royal life, despite his retirement.

A courtier previously revealed, "The Queen feels the Duke has earned a proper retirement.

"She knows him too well - if he was still at the centre of royal life he’d feel he had to be involved.

"Being at Wood Farm means he’s not too far away, but far enough to be able to relax."