If this is a truce, it doesn’t look like it.
Prince Harry and Prince William released dueling statements on Monday afternoon after their grandfather’s death last week, with Harry making a statement just 32 minutes after his brother released his.
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That the brothers were unable or unable to coordinate a joint statement does not bode well for the hope of brotherly reconciliation in the days ahead.
Harry and Meghan were criticized in some quarters for unilaterally posting a short condolence message on their website last week before other older members of the family spoke.
Although William’s statement today was very personal, focusing on his own memories of his grandfather, Harry sought to identify directly with the general public, referring to the coronavirus pandemic and drawing a parallel between his passing and that of ‘many of you who have a loved one lost. one or grandparent about the pain of the past year. “
Prince William’s statement, which was accompanied on Twitter by a cute picture of Prince George on a horse-drawn carriage with Philip, seemed to refer to the guidance and support his grandfather offered him after the death of his mother, Diana, in a car accident in 1997, saying his example of guiding me, but his lasting presence well into my own adult life – in good times as well as in the most difficult of days. “
William said Philip’s century of life was defined by service — to his country and the Commonwealth, to his wife and queen, and to our family. ”
William testified to Philip’s “infectious sense of adventure and his mischievous sense of humor” and said he was grateful to Kate “had had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her”, adding : “Never take on the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandfather picking them up in his carriage.”
William’s statement concluded, “My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he wanted and will support The Queen for years to come. I will miss my grandpa, but I know he would like us to get started. “
Harry described his grandfather “as a man of service, honor and great humor.”
In a language that seemed more Californian than British, Harry described his grandfather as “authentically himself.”
He also seemed to refer to the Duke’s tendency to make scandalous remarks by saying, “You never knew what he would say next.”
Harry’s statement went on to say that while he would be remembered for his many official roles, “to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent through the pain of the past year, he was my grandfather: master of the barbecue, legend of chatter and cheek to the end.
“He has been a rock to Her Majesty the Queen with unparalleled dedication, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on I know he would say to all of us right now, beer in hand, ‘Oh keep going! ‘
So for that matter, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Grandma and always being yourself. You will be greatly missed, but always remembered – by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always have a special place for you in our hearts. “
Harry signed his note with the phrase ‘Per Mare, Per Terram’, the Latin motto of the British Royal Marines.
Harry succeeded his grandfather as Captain General of the Royal Marines in 2017. Philip had previously done the job for 64 years. Harry was forced to resign after 30 months as part of the terms of his departure from royal life.