Prince Phillip cheated when Queen Elizabeth was 8 months pregnant

The wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip mirrored a fairy tale. When she was only 13 years old, the future queen fell in love with the tall, dashing naval officer and wrote him letters for years. And the feeling was reciprocated.

However, Elizabeth and Philip's union was not flawless all of the time. Friends described the Duke of Edinburgh as an alpha male who hurled tantrums often when he didn't get his way. He's opinionated and outspoken. In addition, there were several rumors of infidelity.

A single adultery rumor wrecked an actress's reputation, whether it was real or not.

When Queen Elizabeth was eight months pregnant, Prince Philip was rumored to have cheated.

The queen was never much of a party girl, but that didn't prevent Prince Philip from frequenting nightclubs. There are claims that the Duke of Edinburgh had an affair with Patricia Kirkwood, a stage actress. Their relationship was never proven, and the palace never denied it either, following the royal family motto of “never complain, never explain.”

Kirkwood's dressing room in the theater where she played was toured by Prince Philip. They were later seen enjoying dinner and partying into the early morning hours. To make it worse, it all happened when the queen was eight months pregnant.

Prime-time rumors Patricia Kirkwood's reputation was devastated by Philip's adultery with her.

Kirkwood maintained that their friendship was strictly platonic. Nonetheless, the media wanted to demonize her for essentially betraying the queen. According to Town & Country, the gossip was enough to wreck her reputation.

“A lady is not usually supposed to protect her honor,” Kirkwood told a journalist. It is the gentleman's duty to do so. I would have had a better and healthier life if Prince Philip had gone home to his pregnant wife on the night in question instead of turning up uninvited in my dressing room.”

The Duke of Edinburgh is said to have had many affairs.

Kirkwood wasn't the only one with whom Prince Philip is said to have had affairs. Rumors circulated about the duke's relationship with Sacha Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn. He was seen in the Bahamas holding hands with Hamilton, according to Icons. She said they were just friends, but her real assertion backfired.

“It's complicated but still being very simple,” she explained. [Philip] needs a playmate and someone with whom he can discuss his intellectual interests.”