The royals have been urged to put on a united front as they reunite for the funeral amid raised tensions between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the British monarchy.
Royal experts believe Philip’s death could help heal the rifts that have developed between the brothers since Harry’s decision to step back from royal duties and start a new life in the United States (US) with his wife Meghan Markle and son Archie Harrison.
It is the first time the rogue royal will have seen his older brother since the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview. While both brothers have penned tributes to honor their grandfather, William’s seemed a bit more targeted than Harry’s.
Posting on his official Archewell website, Prince Harry wrote: “My grandfather was a man of service, honor and great humor. 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.”
Moreover, Harry light-heartedly summed him up as “master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right till the end”.
The Duke of Cambridge’s tribute accompanied a sweet photo of Prince Philip and Prince George – captured by Kate Middleton herself – shared to the Kensington Royal Instagram page. It read: “My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.”
Prince William continued: “I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days.”
The televised royal funeral will be held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and take place at 16:00 UTC on Saturday, April 17, at which time a nationwide minute of silence will be observed.