Prince Harry pays tribute to 'legend of banter' Prince Philip - the statement in full

Prince Harry described his grandpa as a 'legend of banter' (Photo: Getty Images)
Prince Harry described his grandpa as a 'legend of banter' (Photo: Getty Images)
Prince Harry described his grandpa as a 'legend of banter' (Photo: Getty Images)

The Duke of Sussex has paid a touching tribute to his grandfather Prince Philip, describing him as “a man of service, honour and great humour”.

Prince Harry released a statement following the death of his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, on the Archewell Foundation website, which he founded with his wife Meghan Markle the Duchess of Sussex.

Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement last week that Prince Philip passed away peacefully on Friday (9 April) morning at Windsor Castle.

‘Legend of banter’

Prince Harry said that the Duke of Edinburgh will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the Monarch, who dedicated decades of his life to royal duty.

However, he explained that to him, he was first and foremost his grandpa, adding that he was a “master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ‘til the end”.

The full tribute, issued through the Archewell Foundation, reads: “In a statement issued through his foundation Archewell, he said: “My grandfather was a man of service, honour and great humour. 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.

“He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the Monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince and a Duke. But 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.

“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!’

“So, on that note, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely missed, but always remembered—by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts.

“‘Per Mare, Per Terram.’”

An ‘extraordinary’ grandfather

Prince Harry’s statement follows a heartfelt tribute made by his brother, Prince William, earlier today (12 April), describing him 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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