The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
William and Harry pay tribute to their grandfather
The Duke of Edinburgh’s grandsons hailed him as an “extraordinary man” and a “legend of banter”.
The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex recalled their grandfather as an individual “authentically himself ” filled with warmth and wit and devoted to the monarch, as they joined the nation in honouring his memory.
William and Harry released separate statements to pay tribute to Philip, with the older brother pledging to uphold his grandfather’s wishes and continue, along with wife Kate, to support the Queen and “get on with the job”.
Reflecting on how his grandfather’s “century of life was defined by service”, William added: “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.”
He added: “My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. 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.”
Harry, who is quarantining ahead of Saturday’s funeral at his former home of Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle, released a more informal statement, describing the duke as “my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right till the end”.
He said: “My grandfather was a man of service, honour and great humour. 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.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the tributes in the Commons, saying Philip “touched the lives of millions”.
“It is fitting that on Saturday his Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will be conveyed to his final resting place in a Land Rover which Prince Philip designed himself.”