Described by Prince William as a “legend” and Princess Eugene as “incredible”, the Duke of Edinburgh was a grandfather much loved by his ten grandchildren.
Considered the patriarch of his family, Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99, became a mentor to younger royals who continued to turn to him over the years.
Among the duke’s fundamental implications for Prince William’s life was when he convinced him to walk down the funeral yard to the funeral of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.
And it is certainly a source of enormous sadness for the new mother, Princess Eugenie, because she is not believed to have been able to meet her newborn son Augustus, her great-grandson, after describing his grandfather as the family rock.
The same will happen with Zara and Mike Tindall, who on March 21 welcomed their youngest son, Lucas Philip Tindall, with Philip in honor of both Mr. Tindall’s father and Zara’s grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh. .
She retired from public life in 2017 and has rarely been seen at major events, but has made exceptions for her beloved granddaughters, Princess Eugenia and Princess Beatrice.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi leave the Royal Chapel of All Saints at the Royal Lodge, Windsor, after their wedding in July 2020, with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh also in the photo, on a rare outing to Philip
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in the White Hall of Windsor Castle in October 2018 with (from left to right) the 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; Lluís de Givenchy; Front row: Theodora Williams; Mia Grace Tindall; Phillips Island; and Savannah Phillips
Prince Philip walks with his grandson Prince William, as well as Earl Spencer, Harry and Charles behind Princess Diana’s coffin at his funeral procession in London in September 1997.
When Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a secret ceremony at Windsor Castle in July 2020, no one would have raised an eyebrow if the Duke had moved away from reduced nuptials given the Covid-19 pandemic.
So it was a crucial demonstration of support for Prince Andrew’s daughter that the only family photo posted on the day showed the bride and groom with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
It was particularly important because of the scandal surrounding his father, Prince Andrew, and his friendship with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
When Princess Eugenia tied the knot in St. George’s Chapel in October 2018, it was rumored that her grandfather would not attend due to bad blood with her mother Sarah Ferguson, but it was noted that she was there. .
It is certainly a source of enormous sadness for the new mother, Princess Eugenia, for Philip not to get to know her newborn son, after describing his grandfather as the rock of the family. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank appear in the photo earlier this month with August Philip Hawke Brooksbank
The baby of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank
Speaking on the 2016 ITV documentary Our Queen in the Nineties, Princess Eugenia said about Philip: “I think Grandpa is amazing. It really is strong and steady. It’s been there all these years and I think it’s the rock of all of us.
That same year, actor Matt Smith asked William for any advice on playing Philip in the Netflix drama The Crown, and William replied, “Just one word: legend!”
Perhaps Philip’s most important involvement in his grandchildren’s lives came in 1997 with Harry and William after Diana’s death in Paris at the age of 36.
The brothers and their father, Prince Charles, had been housed with Philip and the Queen on their estate in Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, at the time of the fatal accident.
Philip helped William, who was 15 years old, and Harry, who was 12 years old, in their first pain and protected them while they were kept out of public view while the world cried for Diana.
Prince William, Kate, Prince Philip, Meghan and Harry in Sandringham on Christmas Day 2017
A staff member of the estate in Scotland explained how Philip offered the brothers ’coarse tenderness and outdoor activities, such as tracking and hiking, to tire them out.
According to author Tina Brown in her 2011 book The Diana Chronicles, Philip was “brilliantly effective with his grandchildren” at the most difficult time of his life.
It was also stated that William was reluctant to walk through the funeral procession through London alongside his father Prince Charles and Uncle Charles Spencer.
But Philip is said to have believed that William would later regret not having taken part in the solemn procession, and asked him, “If I walk, will you walk with me?”
Philip is known to enjoy spending time with his grandchildren at royal gatherings such as Christmas in Sandringham, Easter in Windsor and summer in Balmoral.
Philip is also said to have guided William during his early months at St Andrew’s University, where he initially felt nostalgic and even considered leaving.
Prince Philip laughs with the Duchess of Cambridge as they watch from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Queen, Charlotte, George and Prince William on June 17, 2017
The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by Princesses Eugenie (second right) and Beatrice (far right), arrive at an ecclesiastical service near Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, on 30 August 1998.
(From left) Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince Philip, Peter Philips, Prince Charles and the Queen look at the flowers left outside Balmoral on September 4, 1997 after Diana’s death.
The Duke of Edinburgh is said to have reassured William when they talked about the situation and stayed at the university where he met his future wife Kate in 2011.
He is also said to have scheduled his hip surgery in April 2018 to be able to attend Harry’s wedding to Meghan at Windsor Castle the following month.
The Duke also had a strong bond with his granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, thanks to a shared love for driving carriages.
In 2017, days after he was released from the hospital after treatment for an infection, he wasted no time in attending a polo and carriage driving event at the Guards Polo Club to watch Lady Louise compete.
The 96-year-old Duke of Edinburgh got behind the wheel to take His Majesty to meet his son Prince Edward and see how 13-year-old granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor showed off her carriage driving skills.
In March 2021, the monarchy was plunged into a crisis while Philip was in hospital following shocking accusations of racism made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in his interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Harry and Meghan, who faced calls to postpone the interview because Philip was ill, accused an unnamed royal, neither the queen nor the duke, of raising concerns about the darkness of their skin tone. son Archie before he was born.
Meghan also explained how she asked for help when she was suicidal, but said the institution did not give her any support.
The 94-year-old queen said the problems were worrisome, but that “some memories may vary” and that the matter was familiar and would be treated privately.