If it’s a truce, it does not look much like one.
Prince Harry and Prince William released disputes Monday afternoon after the death of their grandfather last week, and Harry made a statement just 32 minutes after his brother released her.
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That the brothers could not or would not coordinate a joint declaration holds nothing for the hope of fraternal reconciliation in the coming days.
Harry and Meghan have been criticized in some quarters for unilaterally posting a short message of condolence on their website last week before other senior members of the family spoke.
While William’s statement today was intensely personal, focusing on his own memories of his grandfather, Harry wanted to identify himself directly with the general public, citing the coronavirus pandemic and drawing a parallel between his remorse and that of many of you. which a loved one loses one or grandparent over the pain of the past year. ”
Prince William’s statement, accompanied on Twitter by a beautiful photo of Prince George on a horse-drawn carriage with Philip, seems to refer to the guidance and support his grandfather offered him after the death of his mother, Diana, in a car accident in 1997, saying: ‘I feel happy that I had not his example to lead me, but his abiding presence into my own adult life – through good times as well as through the most difficult days. ”
William said that Philip’s ‘century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and queen and to our family.’
William testified to Philip’s ‘contagious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous humor’ and said he was grateful that Kate ‘had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her’, adding: ‘I will never have to take for granted the special memories my children of their great-grandfather who came to fetch them in his carriage. ”
William’s statement concluded: “My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would like and will support The Queen in the years to come. I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he wants us to get on with the job. ‘
Harry describes his grandfather “as a man of service, honor and great humor.”
In language that seemed more Californian than British, Harry describes his grandfather as ‘authentic himself’.
He apparently also referred to the Duke’s tendency to make outrageous remarks, saying, ‘You never knew what he would say next.’
Harry’s statement further states that although he would be remembered for his many official roles, ‘for me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of the past year, he was my grandfather: master of the braai , a legend of jokes, and tough to the end.
“He was a rock to her majesty the queen with unparalleled devotion to her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on, I know that at the moment he would say to all of us beer in hand: ‘Oh go on with it ! ‘
‘At this point, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Grandma and for always being yourself. You will be greatly missed, but always remembered – by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always occupy a special place in our hearts for you. ”
Harry signs his note with the phrase “Per Mare, Per Terram”, the Latin motto of the British Royal Marines.
Harry succeeds his grandfather as captain general of the Royal Marines in 2017. Philip has done the job for 64 years before. Harry was forced to resign after 30 months as part of the terms of his departure from royal life.