'LOVING MEMORY'
Harry and Meghan Markle pay tribute to Prince Philip saying ‘thank you for your service you’ll be greatly missed’
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have paid tribute to Prince Philip on Friday, saying "thank you for your service you'll be greatly missed".
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wrote the poignant message to Harry's grandfather after his death was announced on Friday morning.
🔵 Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip's death...
8
8
8
A short note on their Archewell website, set against a dark background, says: "In loving memory of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. 1921-2021."
It adds: "Thank you for your service... you will be greatly missed.";
The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen for 73 years, passed away "peacefully" at Windsor Castle on Friday morning, aged 99.
Just after midday, the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK as the world mourns his death.
It comes as..
- Queen shares touching tribute to 'strength & stay' Philip
- Tower of London lead 40-minute global gun salute in honour of Philip
- Prince William pulls out of Bafta speech in sign of respect
- What to expect this weekend as the UK mourns Prince Philip
- Queen to sign off on funeral arrangements today but will be forced to choose 30 attendees
- Prince Andrew was the first royal to arrive at Windsor Castle to comfort Queen
- Duke's death announced to PM with 'Forth Bridge is down' coded message after Royal Family told
- Queen was 'by Philip's bedside' when he died after final days 'in good form reading in the sun'
The Duke's death was confirmed with the age-old tradition of placing a notice on the railings of Buckingham Palace.
Earlier we told how Harry is to fly back to Britain to attend his grandfather's funeral as he wants "nothing more" than to be with the Queen.
Prince Philip’s funeral is expected to take place next Saturday - but the public has been urged to stay away over coronavirus fears.
The Duke of Edinburgh's body will lie at rest at Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George's Chapel.
The highly-respected Press Association on Friday afternoon reported it's "likely Harry will be among the small number of mourners" at the private service.
However, while Harry is poised to return, it is currently unclear if Meghan will join him even though she reportedly wants to be by his side.
Meghan, 39, is currently pregnant - undoubtedly needing to take advice from doctors before embarking on the 12-hour flight from California.
8
8
8
Her Majesty, 94, on Friday, shared a poignant photo of Philip in a heartfelt tribute to her "strength and guide".
The tragic news of his death is a huge blow to the Queen, with the Duke widely known to be the backbone of the Royal Family.
Devastated mourners have gathered at the gates of Buckingham Palace on Friday afternoon - with the Royal Family setting up an online book of condolence.
If Harry returned to the UK for the funeral, it would be the first time he has joined the royal family since Megxit.
And also since his and Meghan's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in which they accused the royal family of racism.
According to insiders, Harry is now preparing to fly back to be with them for the first time since quitting the UK in March 2020.
A royal source told the New York Post: "Harry was extremely close to his grandfather.
"He will, of course, be there, no matter how difficult relations are between the Sussexes and the family."
Thank you for your service... you will be greatly missed.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The Duke of Edinburgh's body will lie at rest at Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George's Chapel - where Harry and Meghan wed in 2018.
Prince Philip died just weeks after Meghan and Harry gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey alleging racism within the Royal Family.
The couple infamously quit the UK and royal duties in March 2020 to pursue a "private life" on the other side of the Atlantic.
It's reported Harry has recently been self isolating at his LA mansion just so he could race back if his grandfather's health deteriorated.
During their Oprah interview, the couple spoke of how they had grown close to the Queen despite reports of tension after they quit the Firm.
And they said they had been in close contact with the monarch when Philip was admitted to hospital earlier this year.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to the "extraordinary" Prince Philip, and said the whole country would mourn the passing of a "much-loved and highly respected public figure".
Most read in News
Tributes have poured in from around the world for the hardest-working member of the Royal Family after serving his country for more than seven decades.
As the consort of the Queen, Prince Philip is entitled to a state funeral.
But in keeping with the duke’s no-fuss public image, it is believed that he had asked not to be given a full state funeral.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Instead, he will be given a military funeral, with a private service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor and burial in Frogmore Gardens.
The public has been urged to stay away due to the threat of coronavirus.
8
8
Sun's Royal Photographer Arthur Edwards shares his memories of Prince Philip and Duke's relationship with Queen in interview before his death
Topics