The Duke of Edinburgh is described by Prince William as a ‘legend’ and Princess Eugenie as ‘incredible’ and was a much-loved grandfather to his ten grandchildren.
Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99, looked up when the patriarch of his family became a mentor to younger royals who kept turning to him over the years.
The Duke’s most important involvement in Prince William’s life was when he persuaded him to walk in the funeral belt in 1997 during the funeral of his mother, Princess Diana.
And it’s undoubtedly a source of great sadness for the new mother, Princess Eugenie, that he presumably could not meet her newborn son August – his great-grandson – after describing her grandfather as the family’s rock.
The same will apply to Zara and Mike Tindall who welcomed their baby son Lucas Philip Tindall on 21 March – with Philip in honor of both Tindall’s father and Zara’s grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.
He retired from public life in 2017 and has since been rarely seen on big occasions, but has made exceptions for his beloved granddaughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi leave The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, after their wedding in July 2020, with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh also pictured – in a rare outing for Philip
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in the White Drawing Room of Windsor Castle in October 2018 with (from left to right) Back row: Thomas Brooksbank; Nicola Brooksbank; George Brooksbank; Princess Beatrice; Sarah, Duchess of York; Prince Andrew. Middle row: Prince George; Princess Charlotte; Queen Elizabeth II; Prince Philip; Maud Windsor; Louis de Givenchy; Front row: Theodora Williams; Mia Grace Tindall; Phillips Island; and Savannah Phillips
Prince Philip walks next to his grandson Prince William, as well as Earl Spencer, Harry and Charles behind Princess Diana’s coffin during her funeral procession in London in September 1997
When Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in July 2020 during a secret ceremony at Windsor Castle, no one would have raised an eyebrow if the duke had stayed away from the wedding anniversary given by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Therefore, it was an important proof of support for Prince Andrew’s daughter that the only family photo released that day showed the bride and groom with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
This was especially important because of the scandal surrounding their father, Prince Andrew, and his friendship with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
When Princess Eugenie tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in October 2018, there were rumors that her grandfather would not attend due to bad blood with her mother Sarah Ferguson, but he pointed out that he was there.
It is undoubtedly a source of great sadness for the new mother, Princess Eugenie, that Philip was unable to meet her newborn son after describing her grandfather as the family’s rock. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank are pictured with August Philip Hawke Brooksbank earlier this month
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s baby August Philip Hawke Brooksbank
In the ITV documentary Our Queen at Ninety in 2016, Princess Eugenie said of Philip: ‘I think Grandpa is amazing. He is really strong and steady. He’s been there all these years, and I think he’s the rock for all of us. ‘
Also that year, William was asked by actor Matt Smith for advice on the portrayal of Philip in the Netflix drama The Crown, and William replied, “Just one word – legend!”
Perhaps Philip’s most important involvement in the lives of his grandchildren in 1997 with Harry and William after Diana’s death in Paris was 36 years old.
The brothers and their father, Prince Charles, stayed with Philip and the Queen in their Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire during the fatal car accident.
Philip helped William, then 15, and Harry, then 12, through their early grief and protected them while staying out of the public eye while the world mourned Diana.
Prince William, Kate, Prince Philip, Meghan and Harry on Christmas Day 2017 at Sandringham
A staff member from the estate in Scotland told how Philip offered the brothers ‘tenderness and extracurricular activities such as crawling and walking to make them tired’.
According to author Tina Brown in her 2011 book The Diana Chronicles, Philip was ‘brilliantly effective with his grandsons’ at the most difficult time of their lives.
It was also alleged that William was reluctant to walk through London with his father Prince Charles and Uncle Charles Spencer in the funeral guide.
But it is said that Philip believed that William would later regret not having taken part in the solemn march, and asked him, “If I walk, will you walk with me?”
Philip is known for enjoying time with his grandchildren at royal gatherings such as Christmas at Sandringham, Easter in Windsor and the summer at Balmoral.
It is also said that Philip William led through his first few months at St Andrews University – where he initially felt homesick and even considered leaving.
Prince Philip laughs with the Duchess of Cambridge as they look out from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on 17 June 2017 with the Queen, Charlotte, George and Prince William.
The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by Princesses Eugenie (second right) and Beatrice (far right) arrived on 30 August 1998 for a church service near Balmoral in Aberdeenshire.
(From left) Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince Philip, Peter Philips, Prince Charles and the Queen look at flowers left outside Balmoral on 4 September 1997 after Diana’s death
The Duke of Edinburgh is said to have reassured William when they spoke about the situation, and he stayed at the university where he met his future wife Kate in 2011.
It is also said that he would plan his hip surgery in April 2018 so that he could attend Harry’s wedding to Meghan in Windsor Castle next month.
The duke also had a strong bond with his granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, thanks to a shared love of coaching.
In 2017, days after being released from hospital after treatment for an infection, he wasted no time attending a polo and carriage ride at Guards Polo Club to compete with Lady Louise.
The Duke of Edinburgh, then 96, jumped behind the wheel to take her majesty to meet their son Prince Edward and watch granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, then 13, ride her skills in the wagon.
In March 2021, the monarchy was plunged into a crisis while Philip was in hospital following the shocking allegations of racism made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Harry and Meghan, who were faced with postponing the interview because Philip was not healthy, accused an unnamed royal, neither the queen nor the duke, of raising concerns about how dark their son Archie’s skin color would be before he was born.
Meghan also told how she begged for help when she was suicidal, but said the institution gives her no support.
The 94-year-old queen said the issues were worrying but that ‘some memories may differ’ and that it was a family issue that would be dealt with privately.