Philip’s F-word rant to No 10

PRINCE Philip launched a four-letter rant at Tony Blair’s spin doctors over plans to have William and Harry walk behind Diana’s coffin, it has been claimed.

The Duke of Edinburgh reportedly told No10 officials to ‘f*** off’ after they discussed having the young princes follow the funeral cortege on foot.

The Queen is said to have backed her husband over his emotional outburst during a telephone conference call.

Mr Blair’s team, including spin doctor Alastair Campbell, were at Buckingham Palace, where they had met royal aides.

They were discussing proposals with Balmoral, where the Queen and Prince Philip were staying with William and Harry.

Mr Blair’s No10 ‘gatekeeper’ Anji Hunter has described her shock at Prince Philip’s reaction when it was suggested the princes should follow the cortege.

‘I can remember – it sends a tingle up my back,’ she said in a BBC film about Diana’s funeral. ‘We were all talking about how William and Harry should be involved and suddenly came Prince Philip’s voice.

‘We hadn’t heard from him before, but he was really anguished. “It’s about the boys,” he cried, “They’ve lost their mother.” ’

Miss Hunter’s husband, Sky TV political commentator Adam Boulton, gave an even more vivid account.

‘The Queen relished the moment when Philip bellowed over the speaker phone from Balmoral, “F*** off, we are talking about two boys who have just lost their mother”,’ Mr Boulton said in his book about the Blair administration, Tony’s Ten Years.

The call was arranged by the Lord Chamberlain Lord Airlie at a time when the Blair government was accused of taking over the funeral plans.

The poignant images of the young princes, then 15 and 12, walking behind Princess Diana’s coffin, their heads bowed, were beamed around the world.

At the time commentators reported that they had chosen to do so, but the decision continues to provoke rows.

The Princes’ uncle recently claimed that a palace aide ‘lied’ about the plan when he was told they wanted to do it.

Earl Spencer said it was only later he learned the brothers had not wanted the ‘bizarre and cruel’ ordeal.