Prince William has described his “grandpa” Prince Philip as “an extraordinary man” who would have wanted members of the royal family to get on with their jobs.
Prince Harry has also paid tribute to his grandfather in a light-hearted message describing him as “master of the barbecue” and “cheeky right ’til the end”.
The feuding brothers issued separate statements amid a family rift that led to Harry’s decision to step away from royal duties last year.
Some have speculated that their grandfather’s funeral may offer an opportunity for them to talk over their differences.
So far, there is no sign the two have come together in their grief.
Goodbye to a cheeky, extraordinary grandpa
William, who is second in line to the throne, honoured Philip’s lifetime of service to the Queen and the United Kingdom as he remembered his grandfather’s “mischievous sense of humour”.
“I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job,” William, 38, said in a statement on Tuesday morning (Australian time).
“My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation.
“My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.”
William said he felt lucky to have had Philip’s example to guide him and praised his grandfather for showing great kindness to his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
“Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead,” William said.
William and his wife also released a picture of Philip sitting in a carriage with his great-grandson Prince George, their oldest child.
Harry, who stepped away from royal duties last year and now lives in the US, has arrived in the UK to attend Philip’s funeral service, which will take place on Saturday at Windsor Castle, west of London.
His wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is pregnant and was advised by her doctor not to make the long journey.
Harry’s statement described Philip as a man who was “authentically himself”.
“He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the Monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince and a Duke,” the 36-year-old Harry said.
“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 added: “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!’
“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.”
Prince Philip’s funeral will be the biggest funeral in the UK since the Queen Mother’s almost two decades ago, with every moment of the next fortnight subject to meticulous planning and rehearsal for years.
Here’s how it will go.
The mourning
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has approved a period of national mourning, which is to last one week from April 9.
Usually, when a senior royal passes, such as the Queen, Prince Philip or Prince Charles, the UK instantly enters a national mourning period of between 12 to 14 days.
During this period, a number of protocols are followed, including the lowering of all flags to half-mast, and a halt on all affairs of the state.
Since news of Prince Philip’s passing made headlines on April 9, newsreaders and television presenters have been wearing black out of respect.
The public elements of the 99-year-old Prince’s funeral have been cancelled, including the ‘lying in state’.
The ‘lying in state’ is an element of the mourning process that precedes the funeral, where mourners can pay their respects for the late Prince by visiting his coffin at Westminster Abbey before the service.
The funeral
Prince Philip’s funeral will take place on Saturday at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, with a minute of national silence as it begins at 2.45pm (UK time).
The ceremony, which will also feature an eight-minute military procession, will be televised internationally.
Those tuning in from home will be able to watch the event at 11.45pm on Channel Nine.
Prince Philip’s coffin will be transported from Windsor Castle to the chapel by a specially modified Land Rover he helped design, and will be followed by Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry, along with other senior royals on foot.
Famously private and opposed to large media spectacles, the Duke of Edinburgh asked for his funeral to be kept small – an appropriate request given Britain’s COVID-19 restrictions.
The usual 800-strong guest list has been reduced to just 30 people, including the Duke’s children, grandchildren and close family members.
Face masks and social distancing regulations will be adhered to for the duration of the ceremony.
All public elements of Operation Forth Bridge have been cancelled so as to avoid crowds in London.
-with AAP