PLEASE FORGIVE ME

BEDRIDDEN AND FRAIL, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH HAS FINALLY REVEALED THE TRUTH ABOUT HIS MANY INDISCRETIONS TO HIS LONGTIME WIFE, QUEEN ELIZABETH II.

PRINCE PHILIP has lived a long and full life. Among his many accomplishments, the father of four served in the British Navy during WWII and, over his nearly 70 years as part of the House of Windsor, attended more than 22,000 royal engagements. In 2009, he became the longest-serving royal consort in the history oftheBritish monarchy. His most important role, of course, has been as husband to QueenElizabethII during her decades-long reign. “He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments, but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years,” the queen has said. “I owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim.”

Now, as the increasingly frail 99-year old Duke of Edinburgh nears the end of his days, a source tells Star exclusively that Philip has been reflecting on his 73-year marriage and coming to terms with his shortcomings as a husband. Over the years, the royal — known for his rakish personality, dashing style and at times off-color wit — has been rumored, among other things, to have been unfaithful on multiple occasions. The source says he wants to come clean before it’s too late. “He’s had all these secrets locked inside for many years, and he finally broke down in tears and confessed the truth to the queen.”