Prince William snapped on royal duties with the Queen after Prince Philip steps down
Prince William stepped in alongside The Queen at a royal do and looked more than a little awkward
PRINCE William steps into Prince Philip’s shoes yesterday — but looks awkward alongside the Queen at a royal do.
His brother Harry also paid a visit to sick children in a surprise hospital visit the day after Philip announced he was retiring from royal duties.
As Philip headed north yesterday for a private weekend, the Queen and her grandson welcomed Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to Buckingham Palace.
They posed for pictures with the former political prisoner before having lunch.
Meanwhile, Harry cradled terminally ill Ollie Carroll, six — who he bonded with at an awards event last year.
Harry spent an hour yesterday with Ollie and his sister Amelia, three, at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The children both have Batten’s disease, which has already robbed Ollie of his speech, eyesight and mobility.
His mum Lucy, of Poynton, Cheshire, said: “Prince Harry sat with us talking and playing with our children, laughing and making memories.
“The very thing our children want the most in life is to be happy and having fun.
“It was truly incredible to watch him.”
Harry’s grandfather, who sparked a frenzy of attention by announcing his imminent retirement on Wednesday, yesterday took a train north out of the capital from Euston.
He was spotted at Lichfield station near Birmingham at around 6pm, although it was unclear where he was heading next.
Antony Baker tweeted: “Random! Just got off train at Lichfield and happened to be walking along the platform next to Prince Philip! Happy retirement.”
MOST READ IN NEWS
Passenger Franny Mac said the Prince had his head in an historical novel by Robert Harris, posting: “Spotted: Prince Philip reading ‘Lustrum’ on the train to Lichfield.”
The 95-year-old will step down at the end of summer but aides insisted his decision was not health-related.
He joked at St James’s Palace after the announcement: “I can’t stand up much longer.”
Plans for a youth bash next week at Buckingham Palace — hosted by Harry, William and Kate — were also announced yesterday.
The event, for bereaved children of Armed Forces’ personnel, will feature breakdancing and beatboxing workshops.
However, it is not known if the royals will take part in any of the sessions.
A source said: “We will have to see what happens on the day.”