Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, honored his grandfather Prince Philip in a statement celebrating his years of dedication to the Queen and his personal charm.
“My grandfather was a man of service, honor and humor. “He was authentic himself, with a serious sharp mind, and could hold the attention of any room because of his charm – and also because you never knew what he would say next,” Harry said.
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died on Friday at the age of 99. His funeral will be held on Saturday, although according to the COVID-19 protocols only 30 people can attend.
A spokesman for Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle (also known as the Duchess of Sussex), confirmed that Harry had flown to the UK over the weekend and was currently in quarantine at Frogmore Cottage, their home on the grounds of Windsor Castle. sit. Meghan, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child, a daughter, did not get permission from her doctor to travel.
“He will be remembered as the longest-serving ruler for the Monarch, a decorated conscript, a prince and a duke,” Harry said. ‘But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this over 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 concluded the statement with ‘Per Mare, Per Terram’, the motto of the Royal Marines.
The duke, who served in the army for ten years and was deployed in Afghanistan, took over the ceremonial position of Captain-General Royal Marines from his grandfather Philip in 2017, but was forced to relinquish it when he formally ‘stepped back’ as’ a working member of the royal family.