William and Harry in warm tributes to late grandfather

The Duke of Edinburgh’s service to Queen, country and his family has been praised by his grandsons who spoke warmly of his humour and kindness to others.

The Duke of Cambridge described Philip as an “extraordinary man” while the Duke of Sussex said he was “a rock for Her Majesty the Queen with unparalleled devotion”.

The royal brothers are the first of Philip’s grandchildren to publicly honour his memory, and Harry lightheartedly summed him up as “master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right till the end”.

William spoke candidly about Philip’s relationship with Kate and expressed his gratitude for the “kindness he showed her”.

William pledged to uphold his grandfather’s wishes and continue, along with wife Kate, to support the Queen and “get on with the job”.

Over the weekend Philip’s four children spoke movingly about the loss of their father and how the Queen was being very “stoic” after losing her husband of 73 years, who died peacefully on Friday.

William said about Philip: “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.”

Philip and the Queen provided a safe haven for William and Harry in the days following the death of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, as they grieved at their grandmother’s royal residence, Balmoral, in 1997.

William added: “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.”

Harry and William are expected to join their father the Prince of Wales and other senior royals in walking behind their grandfather’s coffin as the funeral procession makes its way through Windsor Castle.

Harry said in his tribute: “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.”

Philip was famed for his quips, gaffes and outspoken comments that regularly made headlines during the decades he carried out his royal duties.

Harry 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 till 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!”’

Harry ended by thanking his “Grandpa” for “your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself ”.

Philip shares a joke with Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.