While Prince William mourned Prince Philip’s death, the Duke of Cambridge and his wife Kate Middleton were determined to share the news with their children in a friendly manner.
The 38-year-old’s grandfather died at the age of 99 on Friday.
William and the Duchess of Cambridge, 39, share three children: Prince George, 7, Princess Charlotte, 5, and Prince Louis, 2.
William told George, Charlotte and Louis that Prince Philip has ‘gone to heaven’ and ‘is now an angel,’ a royal insider told Us Weekly on Tuesday.
“They’re so young, so he and Kate wanted to carefully abandon them,” added the palace source.
THE LAST HOUR OF PRINCE PHILIP WERE ‘PEACEFUL’ AND ‘SOFT’ SOPHIE, SAYS WESSEX FROM THE TABLE
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge watch from the balcony at the annual Trooping The Color parade at the Mall on 17 June 2017, in London, England.
(Photo by Karwai Tang / WireImage / Getty)
On Monday, William took to social media where he shared a touching statement in tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh.
“The century of my grandfather’s life was defined by service — to his country and the Commonwealth, to his wife and queen, and to our family,” the statement began.
William continued: “I feel fortunate to have had not only his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – in both the good times and the most difficult of 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 I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great grandfather who comes to collect them in his carriage and be myself infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humor! “
“My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he wanted and support the Queen for years to come. I will miss my grandfather, but I know he would like us to did that, get on with the job, ”it concluded.
PRINCE HARRY ARRIVES IN UK FORWARD GRANDFATHER PRINCE PHILIP’S FUNERAL
Prince William’s grandfather Prince Philip died on Friday at the age of 99.
(AP Photo / Alastair Grant)
The statement included a 2015 photo of Philip sitting next to William and Middleton’s eldest son, George, while in a carriage.
In 2017, William told The Calm Zone how important it was for his children to express their feelings towards the Duke and Duchess.
“Catherine and I are clear that we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling like they can talk about their emotions and feelings,” he explained at the time. “Over the past year, we went to a number of schools together where we were amazed to hear how children talk about some pretty difficult topics in a very clear and emotionally articulate way – something that most adults would struggle with.”
“Seeing this has really given me hope that things are changing and that there is a generation on the way who find it normal to talk openly about their emotions,” he said. Emotional intelligence is key for all of us to deal with the complexities of life and relationships. “
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Prince William is the eldest son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.
(REUTERS)
Philip is survived by his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, and their four children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – as well as eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.