William and Harry pay two very different tributes to Prince Philip: Formal William praises grandfather's kindness to Kate and lifetime of 'service to Queen and country' while Harry remembers him as the 'cheeky legend of banter'
Prince Harry said if Prince Philip was listening to his tribute he would say: 'beer in hand, "Oh do get on with it!"
His statement was separate from his brother William, who released a new picture of Philip with his son George
William's tribute was far more stoic and focused on the need to support the Queen and continue his work
Duke of Sussex was spotted at London Heathrow Airport on Sunday at 1.15pm without Meghan Markle
Meghan reportedly wanted to join Harry for Philip's funeral but was discouraged by her physician
Philip died peacefully in his sleep at Windsor Castle on Friday, two months before his 100th birthday
By Martin Robinson, Chief Reporter For Mailonline
Published: 09:05 EDT, 12 April 2021 | Updated: 12:00 EDT, 12 April 2021
Prince William today praised his grandfather Prince Philip's lifetime of service to 'Queen, country and Commonwealth' before his brother Prince Harry gave a bold and contrasting tribute, declaring: 'He was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right 'til the end'.
The Duke of Sussex spoke out about the Duke of Edinburgh's death hours after landing at Heathrow without his pregnant wife Meghan Markle ahead of Saturday's funeral on his first visit to Britain since the couple's bombshell Oprah interview.
At a time when the relationship between the brothers is strained, William released his official memorial via Buckingham Palace but Harry used the Archewell charity he set up with his wife Meghan in California 30 minutes later.
Harry 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. 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!".'
And as it was revealed Harry is unlikely to wear an Army uniform at his grandfather's funeral in Windsor after being stripped of his military roles by the Queen, he ended by quoting the motto of the Royal Marines.
Harry's statement has been seen as a return to his cheeky prince persona of the past, at a time where critics have accused him of following his wife Meghan Markle's 'woke' ways since they married in 2017.
He is staying at Frogmore Cottage, the couple's former home in the grounds of Windsor Castle. They spent £2.4m of taxpayers' money refurbing it but then gave it back after emigrating to the US.
Prince William's significantly more sombre tribute said he would miss his 'extraordinary' and 'mischievous' grandfather whose 99-year life was 'defined by service'. He focused on duty, continuing Philip's work and the need to support the Queen - at a time when his brother quit as a frontline royal and emigrated to the United States.
The Duke of Cambridge also released a new photograph, taken by his wife Kate, of a then two-year-old Prince George with his great-grandfather in one of his beloved carriages on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk in 2015.
Harry's return to the UK ahead of Saturday's funeral will be the first opportunity to reunite with Prince William and his father Prince Charles, who is said to be 'looking forward' to a reunion with his son. It came as:
The Queen will not delay returning to work after her husband's funeral and plans to attend the state opening of Parliament on May 11, MailOnline can reveal today;
Royal Family have called a truce over Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview to focus on mourning Philip. Funeral being seen as the best chance for Duke of Sussex to end feud with his brother and father';
Prince Philip thought Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey was 'madness' and 'no good would come of it', friend Gyles Brandreth said;
Earlier today, Boris Johnson hailed the 'unfailing dedication' of the Duke of Edinburgh to the country and the Commonwealth.more
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9462059/Prince-William-pays-tribute-Philip-moving-statement-mischievous-sense-humour.html