Prince William and and Prince Harry have each shared their own tributes to their grandfather Prince Philip, with the Duke of Sussex hailing the long-serving royal as a “master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ’til the end”. Philip died peacefully at Windsor Castle last Friday, about two months shy of his 100th birthday.
In a statement released just moments after one from his brother, Harry praised his grandfather for his “unparalleled devotion” to the Queen, and said he was “a man of service, honour and great humour”.
“He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm and also because you never knew what he might say next,” Harry said on his Archewell website.
“He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a prince and a duke. But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ’til the end.
“He has been a rock for Her Majesty the Queen with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, ‘Oh do get on with it!’
“So, on that note, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely missed, but always remembered by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts.”
Harry is currently quarantining at Frogmore Cottage — where he and Meghan lived before they relocated to Canada and then to California with their one-year-old son Archie — ahead of Philip’s funeral, which is scheduled for this Saturday.
A royal spokesman previously confirmed that Harry’s wife, the Duchess of Sussex, who is expecting the couple’s second child in about two to four months, would not be attending Philip’s funeral at the weekend. However, it is not clear whether Harry has brought his son Archie on the trip.
Prince Harry’s statement was posted online just moments after Prince William had paid tribute, saying his grandfather’s century of life was defined by service “to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family”.
“I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days,” he said, alongside a sweet photo of a young Prince George sitting beside his great-grandpa on a horse-drawn carriage.
“I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather, and for the kindness he showed her. I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure, as well as his mischievous sense of humour!
“My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted, and will support the Queen in the years ahead. I will miss my grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.”