Prince Harry pays tribute to 'legend of banter' Prince Philip

Prince Harry has described his grandfather as a "master of the barbecue" and "legend of banter" in a personal tribute through his foundation Archewell.
Prince Harry has paid tribute to his grandfather.Prince Harry has paid tribute to his grandfather.
Prince Harry has paid tribute to his grandfather.

In his statement, the Duke of Sussex described his grandfather as a "man of service, honour and great humour," and paid tribute to Prince Philip's famously sharp wit and charm.

"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," it read.

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Harry then went on to share an insight into what the Duke of Edinburgh was like as a grandfather.

"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 ‘til the end," the statement read.

"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!’"

After thanking his grandfather for his dedication to the Queen, the Duke of Sussex ended the statement with the words "Per Mare, Per Terram" - the Royal Marines' motto, which means "By Sea, By Land".

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Harry's statement came shortly after Prince William paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Duke of Cambridge described his grandfather as an “extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation”.

William was the first of Philip’s grandchildren to publicly honour his memory and in a statement spoke of his relationship with Kate and expressed his gratitude for the “kindness he showed her”.

The future king summed up the duke saying his “…life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family”.

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Over the weekend the duke’s four children spoke movingly about the loss of their father and how the Queen is stoically coping after her husband of 73 years died peacefully on Friday.

The duke 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.

“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.

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“I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!

“My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead. I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.”

Kensington Palace tweeted the duke’s statement together with a touching new photograph of a young Prince George with his great-grandfather Philip.

George, a future King, was pictured sat by the duke’s side on the box seat of a carriage, as Philip held the reins and a whip.

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