Prince Philip pays tribute to nation during coronavirus crisis as Harry & Meg vow to snub Brits like you
CLASSY Prince Philip came out of retirement yesterday to show his support for Britain — as his grandson Harry ranted from LA about the Press.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 98 — not seen in public since he was taken to hospital in December — displayed his usual towering sense of duty in a crisis by making a moving public statement.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
He delivered a heartfelt thank you to key workers who are keeping the country going.
But his words of support came in stark contrast to Harry and Meghan’s decision to “refuse” to deal with newspapers including The Sun following their move to LA.
The couple have given up being working royals after receiving millions of pounds of taxpayers’ cash.
It includes £32million spent on their lavish wedding and the £2.4million refurbishment of their Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor. That is now empty as they are renting a £6million mansion in Los Angeles.
The couple said there would be “zero co-operation” with any newspapers other than their favoured media organisations.
Their outburst came hours before Philip said he wanted to recognise the “vital and urgent” medical and scientific work taking place to battle the deadly virus.
DUKE'S MOVING ADDRESS
Sources said their statement — sent from an official “Sussex Royal” email — had also caused “private dismay” within the family, who are working hard to tackle issues surrounding the pandemic.
Philip, who retired from public duties in 2017, thanked Britain’s key workers in his statement.
He said: “As we approach World Immunisation Week, I wanted to recognise the vital and urgent work being done by so many to tackle the pandemic.
“By those in the medical and scientific professions, at universities and research institutions, all united in working to protect us from Covid-19.
"On behalf of those of us who remain safe and at home, I also wanted to thank all key workers who ensure the infrastructure of our life continues.
“The staff and volunteers working in food production and distribution, those keeping postal and delivery services going, and those ensuring the rubbish continues to be collected.”
The Sun Says
QUITE the contrast, isn’t it?
There’s William and Kate, supporting the NHS, speaking to frontline staff and publicly voicing their fears for the Queen, Prince Charles and the future of our country.
There’s Her Majesty herself, assuring the nation in that historic TV address that better days will return.
There’s her husband Prince Philip, nearly 99 now but interrupting his retirement to hail all those keeping our society afloat, from vaccine researchers to binmen.
There’s Charles, back to work so soon after his coronavirus bout. And Camilla, working from home for the Royal Voluntary Service after self-isolating.
Senior royals, admirably doing their duty in the gravest crisis for 80 years.
And then there’s Harry and Meghan, mansion-shopping in celebrity-packed Tinseltown — as was always their plan despite all the guff about Africa, Canada, the Commonwealth and being driven out of Britain.
A couple blinded by their sense of entitlement, claiming to crave privacy yet desiring above all the gilded lives of their A-list celebrity friends, flying around on private jets and making millions as effortlessly as possible.
They say they believe in a free Press holding power to account. In fact Harry and Meghan want a Press that holds others to account, but simply regurgitates THEIR PR handouts.
When their hypocrisy is exposed by newspapers, they turn on their readers.
So now they have vowed never to speak to the popular Press again.
Perversely, the papers singled out are exactly those most supportive of the monarchy — and whose readers were the couple’s biggest fans before they turned their backs on royal life.
But it will have no real impact on stories being covered in the British media.
It merely disqualifies Harry and Meghan from putting their side to any story, which is the sole reason reporters contact their PR team. How do they imagine that will pan out?
And has there ever been a more craven or ill-timed bid for publicity, with Britain and the world united in a battle against this killer virus?
The Duke’s statement follows a moving address to the nation by the Queen, 94 today, who called for the country to unite in the crisis.
William and Kate have also made a number of public appearances, including opening the Nightingale hospitals.
But yesterday there was fury at Harry and Meghan’s decision to ban The Sun, Mirror, Mail and Express from covering future events.
It was announced hours before court papers were filed in support of Meghan’s case for privacy against the Mail on Sunday over a letter it published from her to her father Thomas Markle. Part of the case will be heard on Friday.
'CENSORSHIP'
The couple, now living 5,500 miles away in LA, came under fire for making the announcement while the UK is coping with the rising coronavirus death toll.
Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, said in their 449-word statement they will only engage with news organisations not on their blacklist.
It was sent to anti-monarchist newspaper The Guardian — which is not on their banned list.
The statement said the couple would work with grassroots, regional and local media and up-and-coming journalists.
Society of Editors chairman Ian Murray called their actions censorship and said they are setting an “unfortunate example”.
Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff
We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.
We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.”
SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.
He added: “They may have been stung by some of the coverage they have not liked, they may disagree strongly with some elements of that coverage and can of course take action to answer any criticism they consider unfair or inaccurate through several channels.
"But the answer should never be to attempt to shun individual titles and their millions of readers.”
The papers blacklisted account for two-thirds of all national newspaper readership in the UK.
Media and royal watchers blasted the couple for making the announcement at the height of the coronavirus crisis with the pair now living in an £8million mansion near Elton John.
'THEIR OWN WORST ENEMIES'
Prince Charles’s biographer Tom Bower said: “The Sussexes have become their own worst enemies. They clearly cannot stand being irrelevant and ignored.
“In the midst of a horrendous global crisis causing so much misery all they can think about is themselves.”
Former royal press spokesman Dickie Arbiter said: “Prince Harry is not the brightest bunny on the planet.”
And BBC presenter Andrew Neil said: “Can’t they just consign themselves to oblivion for a while?”
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.
MOST READ IN UK NEWS
Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan contrasted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s behaviour with that of Capt Tom Moore’s heroics.
Piers praised the 99-year-old war hero’s humility, kindness and resolution after he raised £27million for the NHS with laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Beds.
He said it shamed the “narcissism of entitled attention-seeking twerps” like Meghan and Harry.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]