Prince Philip, the 99 year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth, tragically passed away on Friday at Windsor Castle. Now, his grandson Prince William is speaking out to pay tribute to him.
The BBC reported that William released a statement describing Philip as an “extraordinary man.”
“I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job,” William said. “My 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.”
“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,” William added, referring to his wife Kate Middleton. “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 added that he and Kate will “continue to do what he would have wanted and will support the Queen in the years ahead.”
William’s younger brother Prince Harry released a statement of his own honoring Philip.
“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. “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 added.
Harry and William will be reuniting for the first time in over a year at Philip’s funeral this coming Saturday. Harry’s wife Meghan Markle will not be attending, as she has been advised not to travel due to the fact that she is about six months pregnant with her and Harry’s second child.
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