Described by Prince William as a ‘legend’ and Princess Eugenie as ‘incredible’, the Duke of Edinburgh was a beloved grandfather to his ten grandchildren.
Looking up to be the patriarch of his family, Prince Philip – who has passed away at the age of 99 – became a mentor to younger royals who continued to turn to him over the years.
One of the Duke’s most significant involvement in Prince William’s life was when he convinced him to walk in the funeral procession at the funeral of his mother Princess Diana in 1997.
And it is no doubt a source of immense grief to new mother, Princess Eugenie, that he is not thought to have been able to meet her newborn son August – his great-grandson – after describing her grandfather as the rock of the family.
The same will be true for Zara and Mike Tindall who welcomed their infant son Lucas Philip Tindall on March 21 – with Philip honoring both Mr Tindall’s father and Zara’s grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.
He retired from public life in 2017 and has rarely been seen at major events since, but has made exceptions for his beloved granddaughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi leave The Royal Chapel of All Saints in Royal Lodge, Windsor, after their wedding in July 2020, with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh also pictured – in a rare getaway for Philip
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in Windsor Castle’s White Drawing Room in October 2018 with (left to right) Back row: Thomas Brooksbank; Nicola Brooksbank; George Brooksbank; Princess Beatrice; Sarah, Duchess of York; Prince Andrew. Middle row: Prince George; Princess Charlotte; Queen Elizabeth II; Prince Philip; Maud Windsor; Louis de Givenchy; Front row: Theodora Williams; Mia Grace Tindall; Isla Phillips; and Savannah Phillips
Prince Philip walks alongside his grandson Prince William, as well as Earl Spencer, Harry and Charles behind Princess Diana’s casket during her funeral procession in London in September 1997
When Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a secret ceremony at Windsor Castle in July 2020, no one would have raised an eyebrow had the Duke stayed away from the reclusive marriage due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Therefore, it was a crucial show of support for Prince Andrew’s daughter that the only family photo released that day showed the bride and groom with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
It was especially important because of the scandal surrounding their father Prince Andrew and his friendship with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
When Princess Eugenie tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in October 2018, there were rumors that her grandfather wouldn’t show up due to bad blood with her mother Sarah Ferguson, but he made it a point to be there.
Undoubtedly, it is a source of immense grief for new mother, Princess Eugenie, that Philip did not meet her newborn son, after describing her grandfather as the rock of the family. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank were photographed earlier this month with August Philip Hawke Brooksbank
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s baby August Philip Hawke Brooksbank
In the 2016 ITV documentary Our Queen at Ninety, Princess Eugenie said of Philip: ‘I think Grandpa is incredible. He’s really strong and consistent. He’s been there all these years, and I think he’s the rock, you know, to all of us. ‘
Also that year, William was asked by actor Matt Smith for advice on playing Philip in Netflix drama The Crown, and William replied, ‘Just one word – legend!’
Perhaps Philip’s most important involvement in his grandchildren’s lives was in 1997 with Harry and William after Diana’s death in Paris at the age of 36.
The brothers and their father, Prince Charles, were staying with Philip and the Queen on their Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire at the time of the fatal car accident.
Philip helped William, then 15, and Harry, then 12, through their early grief and protected them while staying out of the public eye while the world mourned Diana.
Prince William, Kate, Prince Philip, Meghan and Harry in Sandringham on Christmas Day 2017
An employee at the estate in Scotland told how Philip offered the brothers “gruff tenderness and outdoor activities such as stalking and hiking to exhaust them.”
According to author Tina Brown in her 2011 book The Diana Chronicles, Philip was “ brilliantly effective with his grandsons ” at possibly the most difficult time of their lives.
It has also been alleged that William was reluctant to walk in the funeral procession through London with his father Prince Charles and Uncle Charles Spencer.
But Philip would have believed that William would later regret not taking part in the solemn procession, and asked him, “If I walk, will you walk with me?”
Philip has been known to enjoy spending time with his grandchildren at royal gatherings such as Christmas in Sandringham, Easter in Windsor and summer in Balmoral.
Philip is also said to have tutored William during his first few months at St Andrew’s University – where he was initially homesick and even considered leaving.
Prince Philip smiles with the Duchess of Cambridge as they look out from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the Queen, Charlotte, George and Prince William on June 17, 2017
The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by Princesses Eugenie (second right) and Beatrice (far right), arrive for a divine service near Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, on August 30, 1998.
(Left to right) Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince Philip, Peter Philips, Prince Charles and the Queen look at flowers left outside Balmoral on September 4, 1997 after Diana’s death
The Duke of Edinburgh is said to have reassured William when they discussed the situation, and he stayed at the university where he met his future wife Kate in 2011.
He is also reported to have scheduled his hip surgery in April 2018 so that he could attend Harry’s wedding to Meghan at Windsor Castle the following month.
The Duke also had a strong bond with his granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, thanks to a shared love of carriage driving.
In 2017, days after being released from hospital after treatment for an infection, he wasted no time attending a polo and carriage driving event at Guards Polo Club to see Lady Louise compete.
The Duke of Edinburgh, then 96, got behind the wheel to take Her Majesty to meet their son Prince Edward and watch granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, then 13, show off her driving skills.
In March 2021, the monarchy went into crisis while Philip was hospitalized after shocking allegations of racism by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Harry and Meghan, faced with calls to postpone the interview because Philip was feeling unwell, accused an unnamed monarch, neither the Queen nor the Duke, of expressing concern about how dark their skin color was. Archie’s son would be before he was born.
Meghan also shared how she pleaded for help when she was suicidal, but said the institution did not support her.
The Queen, 94, said the issues were concerning but that “some memories may differ” and that the matter was a family matter that would be handled privately.