Britain’s Prince Harry has paid tribute to his grandfather Prince Philip, describing him as “a man of service, honour and great humour,” after reportedly flying back to the United Kingdom ahead of the funeral on Saturday.
Britain’s Prince Harry has paid tribute to his grandfather Prince Philip, describing him as “a man of service, honour and great humour,” after flying back to the United Kingdom ahead of the funeral on Saturday.
“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,” the Duke of Sussex said in a statement published on his Archewell Foundation Monday afternoon.
“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,” Harry continued.
“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 added.
He closed with the words “Per Mare, Per Terram” meaning “By Sea, By Land” in Latin — the motto for the UK’s Royal Marines. Philip maintained close ties with the military community throughout his lifetime after completing his naval service in 1953, including holding the position of Captain General of the Royal Marines.
According to CNN, Prince Harry is staying at Frogmore Cottage where he is following coronavirus protocols after traveling from Los Angeles. The trip is the first time that Harry has returned to the UK since he and his wife Meghan stepped back as senior royals last March.
A royal source told CNN that Prince Charles is “looking forward” to seeing his son.Prince William said his grandfather was an “extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation” in a statement earlier Monday. The Duke of Cambridge said he was “lucky” to have had Philip’s “enduring presence well into my own adult life” and was grateful that his wife and children had the chance to get to know him.
“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!” William’s statement read. He ended his tribute saying that he and his wife, Catherine, plan to continue to support the Queen in the years ahead as his grandfather “would have wanted.” “I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job,” he added.
Prince William’s significantly more sombre tribute said he would miss his ‘extraordinary’ and ‘mischievous’ grandfather whose 99-year life was ‘defined by service’. He focused on duty, continuing Philip’s work and the need to support the Queen – at a time when his brother quit as a frontline royal and emigrated to the United States.
The Duke of Cambridge also released a new photograph, taken by his wife Kate, of a then two-year-old Prince George with his great-grandfather in one of his beloved carriages on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk in 2015.
