Duke of Edinburgh would want us to get on with the job, says Prince William
The Duke of Cambridge pledged to "get on with the job" of supporting the Queen as he paid tribute to his "extraordinary" grandfather.
Issuing a separate statement to the Duke of Sussex on Monday, Prince William praised the Duke of Edinburgh's "century of life defined by service". Prince Harry released his own, more informal message half an hour later.
"My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation," Prince William said. "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."
The 38-year-old became the first of the Duke's eight grandchildren to pay tribute in the aftermath of his death on Friday.
After flying into the UK on Sunday, Prince Harry, 36, put out a more colloquial eulogy in which he described "Grandpa" as "master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right 'til the end".
It is thought both princes wrote the statements themselves and, while the palace were made aware of the timing of Prince Harry's tribute, they were not involved in the wording.
The brothers will be reunited for the first time in more than a year at the Duke's funeral on Saturday, which will also mark Prince Harry's first public appearance alongside the Royal family since he and Meghan gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey last month in which they accused "The Firm" of racism and a lack of support.
Prince William's statement was released by Kensington Palace at 2pm, with a touching photograph of an infant Prince George, now aged seven, sitting alongside his great-grandfather for a carriage drive. Wearing a light blue jumper, the little prince holds a book while Prince Philip takes the reins and smiles for the camera.
The Duke, who was 99, enjoyed carriage riding for half a century, taking part in competitions and even writing books on the sport.
Prince William also paid tribute to his grandfather's "enduring presence" when he was growing up.
The Duke was particularly supportive of William and Harry when Diana, Princess of Wales, died in 1997 – when the princes were 15 and 12 respectively – persuading Prince William to walk behind their mother's coffin in the funeral procession with the words: "If I walk, will you walk with me?"
"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," Prince William said.
"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."
At 2.30pm, Prince Harry's global press secretary circulated his highly personal statement, in which he described his grandfather as "a man of service, honour and great humour".
Referencing his "seriously sharp wit" and ability to "hold the attention of any room due to his charm – and also because you never knew what he might say next", he added: "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!'"
Speaking directly to "Grandpa", Prince Harry ended his tribute by thanking him for "your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself", adding: "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."
He concluded the 197-word message with "Per Mare, Per Terram" ("By Sea, By Land"), the motto of the Royal Marines of which he was Captain General until he relinquished his military duties in March this year.
He had inherited the honorary title from his grandfather when Prince Philip retired from public life in 2017, and is said to have been disappointed not to be able to maintain his links with the regiment after he and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in March 2020.
The Duchess of Sussex, who is heavily pregnant with the couple's second child, was advised by doctors not to make the transatlantic journey.
On Monday, friends insisted she had remained at the couple's home in Montecito, near Los Angeles, because she "doesn't want to be the centre of attention", revealing that she "adored" the Duke, with whom she had a "special bond".
Prince Harry arrived at Heathrow Airport on a scheduled BA flight at 1.15pm on Sunday and is staying at Frogmore Cottage, the Sussexes' former Windsor home, where is following Covid protocols.
It is not known whether he will share the Grade II listed, five-bedroom property with his cousin Princess Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank and their two-month-old son August, to whom it has been sublet, or require them to temporarily move in with the Duke and Duchess of York at nearby Royal Lodge.
He can leave quarantine after five days rather than 10 if he provides a negative coronavirus test under the Government's Test to Release scheme. However, he will be allowed to attend Philip's funeral regardless, as official guidelines state that those coming in from abroad can leave isolation "on compassionate grounds".
