Prince William and Prince Harry share tributes to Prince Philip
Prince William and Prince Harry have released separate, personal tributes to Prince Philip.
The brothers, who have been dealing with a longtime rift, both shared memories of the off-duty time they shared with their grandfather, who died Friday at age 99. William called the Queen's husband of 73 years an "extraordinary man" with a "mischievous sense of humor"— and said he was glad his own family — wife Kate Middleton and kids George, Charlotte and Louis — got to spend quality time with him. Harry also shared a heartfelt message, showing the Duke of Edinburgh's private side as a "master of the barbecue, legend of banter and cheeky right 'til the end."
"My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service — to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family," William, 38, began his tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, which included an image of Philip taking great-grandson George on a carriage ride.
He went on to say he feels "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," as Philip reportedly made the point to spend extra time with William and Harry after the death of their mother, Princess Diana.
William called himself "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 humor."
William — who is second in the line of succession to the British throne after his father, Prince Charles — ended his message by saying, "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.
Harry, 36, flew back to the U.K. for Philip's funeral, which takes place Saturday. He's been staying at Frogmore Cottage — where and his wife, Meghan Markle, lived with son Archie prior to stepping down as senior members of the royal family and moving to California — and released this statement from there.
Prince Harry, who is currently in the U.K. at Frogmore Cottage ahead of Saturday’s funeral, has written a tribute to grandfather Prince Philip on behalf of him and his family: pic.twitter.com/9jYEMyf7ur
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) April 12, 2021
"My grandfather was a man of service, honor and great humor," he wrote. "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." (See: Prince Philip was 'gaffe-prone': The offensive things he said during royal life.)
He wrote that while Philip will be remembered as "the longest reigning consort to the Monarch" as well as a "decorated serviceman," prince and duke, to him, "He was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter and cheeky right 'til the end."
Harry said he could go on, but "I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, 'Oh do get on with it!'"
He ended by thanking Philip for being himself, and saying, "Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts."
While Harry arrived in the U.K. over the weekend., his first visit since his controversial move, the pregnant Markle will remain in the States per doctor's recommendation and not attend the funeral.
It's unclear if Harry has reunited with his family yet in the U.K., as his move caused a rift with his father and brother. In his Oprah Winfrey interview on CBS, Harry indicated an estrangement with them. Harry later told Gayle King he did speak to them after the tell-all interview, but "those conversations were not productive," she said.
Over the weekend, Charles honored his "dear papa" in an emotional speech.
Philip's funeral will be held at St George's Chapel, on the grounds of Windsor Castle, on Saturday, and will be televised.
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