Why Prince Philip's Will Is Going To Be Kept Sealed And Secret

According to the BBC, the High Court has ruled that Prince Philip's will is going to remain a secret for at least 90 years in order to protect the "dignity and standing" of her majesty the Queen. The decision to seal the will was overseen by one of the United Kingdom's most senior judges in the family courts, Sir Andrew McFarlane. In 90 years' time, the decision of whether or not to unseal it will be decided in private.

"I have held that, because of the constitutional position of the Sovereign, it is appropriate to have a special practice in relation to royal wills," McFarlane said in a statement, adding, "There is a need to enhance the protection afforded to truly private aspects of the lives of this limited group of individuals in order to maintain the dignity of the Sovereign and close members of her family."

Over the past century, it has been standard practice that the courts are asked to seal the wills of royal family members following their deaths, which ensures that royal wills are not open to public scrutiny.