‘An extraordinary man’: Prince William’s touching tribute to grandfather Prince Philip

‘I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life’

(Alan Davidson/Shutterstock)

Prince William has paid tribute to his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, after his death on Friday at the age of 99.

The Duke of Cambridge, described his grandfather as an “extraordinary man” and said he would miss him but would “get on with the job”.

In a statement, William said: “My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.

“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.”

He also made reference to his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, and his three children, saying: “I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her.

“I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure, as well as his mischievous sense of humour!

“My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support the Queen in the years ahead.

“I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.”

The message was shared on social media alongside a photograph of Philip with William’s eldest son, George, in the seat of a carriage.

Prince William is the first of Philip’s grandchildren to issue a public statement after the weekend when the duke’s four children – Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward – all paid tribute.

The Princess Royal described her father as her “teacher, supporter and critic” and said he had left a legacy “which can inspire us all”.

“I regard it as an honour and a privilege to have been asked to follow in his footsteps and it has been a pleasure to have kept him in touch,” she said.

The duke’s funeral will be held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday at 3pm.

It will the first time that Prince Harry and Prince William will have met in person following the Sussexes’ Oprah Winfrey interview last month, in which they claimed to have faced racism.

Buckingham Palace confirmed over the weekend Harry, who now lives in Santa Barbara, California, would make the journey, but Meghan, who is pregnant, would remain in the US. Harry is staying at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, in line with Covid protocols.