View source for Philip Hughes

==History==
Philip Hughes met Jessica Halas, only daughter of the "false Thomas Marik" [[Duke]] [[Thomas Halas]] and Duchess [[Sherryl Halas]] of the [[Duchy of Oriente]], in the spring of [[3080]] at an [[Oriente]] University fundraiser held in Amur in support of victims of the [[Word of Blake]]. There was considerable political and celebrity speculation that Philip and the 17-year-old Jessica had formed a relationship after meeting, although their relationship wouldn't be announced publicly until October 3080.<ref name="J:FRp26"/> The engagement between Philip and Jessica was announced formally from Oriente on 15 January [[3081]].<ref name="J:FRp26">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 26: "Halas Heir Engaged To Irian Scion"</ref><ref name="J:FRp61">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 61: "The Jihad In Review"</ref> As Philip was a cadet member of an influential Irian family, there was much speculation at the time that the engagement was a matter of political expediency to create close ties between the industrial base on Irian and Oriente in the wake of Irian joining the [[Republic of the Sphere]]. Despite these rumors, Duke Halas was quick to comment on the marriage as a parent:
{{Quote|''While as Duchess and Duke we recognize the tremendous diplomatic and dynastic import of this union, Sherryl and I would like to say that we are far more proud of our daughter and her husband-to-be simply as parents who wish their children all the happiness in the world.''|Duke [[Thomas Halas]], 15 January [[3081]]<ref name="J:FRp26"/>}}

===Death===
Philip would be assassinated during a hunting trip at his favorite hunting reserve on [[New Delos]] on 4 August [[3146]].<ref name=HScP/> While the official story stated that Phillip had perished after accidentally falling from a cliff, many in the Marik family and the Duchy of Oriente regarded his death with a great deal of suspicion. As a result of his demise, Jessica Marik retreated from public view for a lengthy mourning period and the League's enemies in the [[Regulan Fiefs]] and the [[Magistracy of Canopus]] took advantage of this distraction to launch their [[Operation TRIUMVIR]] offensive against the League.<ref name=SFp20>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 20: "Tragedy and Triumph"</ref>