The late Queen’s quiet strength on the day of Prince Philip’s secret cancer operation - photos

The late Queen Elizabeth II demonstrated incredible courage and quiet strength on the day of Prince Philip's secret cancer operation – by continuing her duties as usual. 

The then-monarch opened the new BBC Broadcasting House in London on June 7, 2013, the same day her husband underwent an abdominal operation during which doctors discovered that he had pancreatic cancer, according to claims in a new book. 

In his new book, Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History, historian Hugo Vickers claims that Philip was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer eight years before his death, during an 11-day stay at the London Clinic in Marylebone. 

That same day, the Queen looked as professional as ever during her BBC visit, even appearing behind newsreaders live on air to surprise them. She was a pillar of strength, and those she met were left unaware of the battle she was facing behind the scenes.  

See the best photos from the historic day below…

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© Getty Images

As planned, the Queen kept to her schedule to open the new BBC Broadcasting House in 2013. 

Wearing a bright blue coat and hat, and beaming the entire day, no one had suspected at the time that anything out of the ordinary was happening. 

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© PA Images via Getty Images

During her visit, she made a live broadcast on BBC Radio 4, calling it a "great pleasure" to see the new headquarters. 

The then-Duke of Edinburgh had also been expected to attend, before being admitted to hospital for the operation following a garden party at Buckingham Palace. At the time, the Palace said he was "progressing satisfactorily". 

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© PA Images via Getty Images

In a speech on the day, the Queen said: "It is a great pleasure to visit the BBC today, and to see it in its new home. I remember first coming to Broadcasting House with my father, The King, and my mother and sister shortly before the war."

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© Alamy Stock Photo

She continued: "I came again with The Duke of Edinburgh just before the Coronation in 1953. I was struck then, as I am now, by the sheer pace of change which has transformed your industry over the past 60 years – years during which broadcasting has enriched our lives in so many ways.

"I hope this new building will serve you well for the future and I am delighted to declare it open today."

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© AFP via Getty Images

Later in the day, the Queen met presenters including Nick Grimshaw, Trevor Nelson, and Sara Cox. She also visited the Live Lounge to watch a performance by The Script. 

When Today presenter John Humphrys said her husband was "looking well yesterday", the Queen replied: "That's because he's not ill."

Philip's secret cancer battle

Author Hugo Vickers claims that Philip was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer eight years before his death in April 2021. 

The biographer claims that the prince, who passed away from "old age" as per his death certificate, was first diagnosed with the disease in 2013, and went to stay at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate. 

© Tim Graham Photo Library via Get

He writes: "Doctors had detected a shadow on his pancreas, and had cut him right across his stomach. The verdict was inoperable pancreatic cancer."

Philip returned to public duties in August 2013, retiring four years later aged 96. He passed away at Windsor Castle in 2021, just two months before his 100th birthday. King Charles, his son, is currently undergoing treatment for his own cancer diagnosis.