PRINCES William and Harry shared contrasting tributes to their “grandpa” the Duke of Edinburgh yesterday.
William, 38, spoke movingly of Prince Philip’s service to Queen and country and the memories his children will have of their great-grandpa.
Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip’s death…
Harry, 36, hailed the Duke who died aged 99 on Friday, as “master of the barbecue” and “legend of banter”.
The warring brothers, who have barely spoken since Megxit more than a year ago — released the tributes within half an hour of each other.
William yesterday shared a poignant picture of his seven-year-old son Prince George with the Duke — who he described as “extraordinary”.
He also pledged to honour the Duke of Edinburgh through his own service to the Queen.
The grieving Duke of Cambridge described yesterday how his grandfather was an “enduring presence” during the “good times and the hardest days”.
William hailed his Grandpa’s “infectious sense of adventure” and talked of “his mischievous sense of humour”.
He wrote that he would miss him but said: “I know he would want us to get on with the job.”
Meanwhile Harry said: “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.”
The Duke of Sussex also said that if Philip could see the fuss being made about him “he would say to all of us, beer in hand, ‘Oh do get on with it!’.”
He released his tribute hours after arriving in the UK ahead of Saturday’s funeral, without pregnant wife Meghan, 39.
‘THE OLD HARRY IS BACK’
In his statement 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.”
Penny Junor praised the Prince’s candid tribute.
She said: “It sounded like the old Prince Harry we knew is back.
“It was clearly him speaking.
“So much of what we’ve seen in the last year has been absolute gobbledygook — all very corporate and Californian. They were clearly not Harry. But this really is Harry talking.”
Harry had not seen the Duke since he quit royal duties last year and moved to the US with wife Meghan, 39, and their son Archie, who is two next month.
But he told James Corden on the Late Late Show that they had shared video calls while he has been in California.
Harry will put reported family tensions aside to walk behind the Duke’s coffin alongside father Prince Charles and brother Prince William.
Penny added: “He had a great relationship with his grandfather.
“I hate to think how Harry is feeling right now.
“I think he is filled with sadness he spent his last year away and missed his grandfather.
“The overriding concern is for the Queen and her grief. For William and Harry to be warring would be such a distraction.
“He has come back for his grandfather to lay him to rest.
“I really think there is a good chance things might be sorted out and in a way it’s good that Harry is on his own.
“But it is important that the brothers have a conversation and this may be the perfect moment.”
Harry’s 208-word statement also praised his grandfather’s “dedication to Granny”.
He wrote: “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.”
Harry signed off his statement with the Royal Marines’ motto “Per Mare, Per Terram”. It means “By Sea, By Land.”
Philip, a former Royal Navy officer, served as Captain General for the Royal Marines for more than 64 years before handing over the position to Harry.
But Harry was stripped of the honour after Megxit was finalised in February.
Prince Philip had taken the young William and brother Prince Harry under his wing after the death of their mother Princess Diana in 1997.
The boys, then 15 and 12, were staying at the time with the Queen and Philip at Balmoral in the Highlands.
Only hours before Diana’s funeral when William refused to line up behind the coffin, it was Philip who helped him change his mind, saying: “If I walk, will you walk with me?”
His heart-felt statement issued by Kensington Palace praised Prince Philip’s “service”. And he vowed that with wife Kate they “will continue to do what he would have wanted” and both “support The Queen in the years ahead”.
William wrote: “My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service — to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.
