- Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, died in 2021
- His grandson Prince Harry woke up to the news in the US
- Harry writes in Spare about the sad day and going to the UK
Early in his book Spare, Prince Harry recalls meeting at Frogmore Gardens, near Windsor Castle, after his grandfather Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021.
On April 9 of that year, the longest-serving royal consort died at 99, just two months before his 100th birthday. Prince Harry wrote about how he returned home to the UK, 15 months after he and Meghan announced they would no longer be working royals.
Prince Harry spoke to the Queen after the missed calls
In the days before the funeral, Prince Harry recalled waking up to 32 missed calls. He then had a "short, heart-racing" call with his grandmother, the Queen.
Harry writes that his grandmother simply told him: "Harry… Grandpa’s gone." While waiting for his family, the Duke had thoughts of Prince Philip, recalling his "icy sense of humour."
Harry remembers fondly a particular example of Philip's banter. It was his reaction when Harry grew his controversial beard.
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When a friend had asked the Duke of Edinburgh his opinion of Harry's facial hair, Philip with a "devilish grin" quipped: "That's not a beard."
Prince Harry's tribute after Prince Philip's death
Soon after his grandfather's passing, Harry published a tribute through his Archewell Foundation, which stated:
"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."
The statement continued: "He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the Monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince, and a Duke. But to me [...] he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ‘til the end"...
See more in the video above.
