As Queen Elizabeth II prepares for the funeral of her beloved husband of over 70 years, Prince Philip, at Windsor Castle, the world mourns the loss of a remarkable man. Grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry, reunited at Frogmore Cottage for the first time in over a year, have set aside recent tensions to honor their grandfather. In a display of unity following a tumultuous year, the brothers issued separate yet coordinated tributes to the family patriarch.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, walking behind the coffin of their grandfather Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
This week, the brothers will meet face-to-face for the first time since Harry and Meghan’s controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey. Prince William shared a touching photograph of his son, Prince George, with his great-grandfather, reminiscing about Prince Philip’s playful nature. “He’ll never forget his great-grandfather coming to collect them in his carriage after a pony race… Competition was Grandpa’s specialty!”
William described his grandfather as “an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation,” adding, “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.”
Prince Harry, no longer a working royal, paid tribute to his grandfather as “a man of service, honour and great humour,” recalling fond memories: “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.” He continued, “Thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.” Harry signed off his message with “Per Mare, Per Terram,” a Latin phrase signifying “By Sea, By Land,” a nod to Prince Philip’s distinguished 64-year tenure as Captain General of the Royal Marines, a title he passed on to Harry.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in a Royal Navy uniform
The Duke of Edinburgh’s longtime friend and biographer, Gyles Brandreth, revealed that Prince Philip found the Oprah interview “madness,” stating, “I know that the Duke of Edinburgh’s rule was ‘Don’t talk about yourself… Don’t give personal interviews.’ I know that and I know he told his children that.” Despite the reported disapproval, Brandreth emphasized Philip’s love and admiration for his grandson, though he believed Harry’s decision to step down was misguided.
At the Houses of Parliament, politicians honored Prince Philip’s lifetime of service with a moment of silence and a heartfelt tribute from Prime Minister Boris Johnson: “He made this country a better place.”
Echoing the sentiments of many, including Prince Philip’s grandsons, the consensus remains that the Duke would urge everyone to “get on with the job.” In line with this sentiment, Queen Elizabeth II intends to resume her royal duties following the two-week mourning period, just a few days after her 95th birthday.
