Prince Harry Learned About Prince Philip’s Death in a Shocking Way
Prince Harry has been living in California since 2020, when he and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, resigned from their roles as senior working royals. Since then, the pair have purchased their first home, signed major deals with Netflix and Spotify, and much more.
Since their lives are so different from the British royal family, Prince Harry found out about Prince Philip’s death in a pretty shocking way.
Prince Philip died at age 99
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh died at age 99 on April 9, 2021. Though the prince had been hospitalized for some pre-existing health issues in the months prior, he had been doing well and was recovering at home with Queen Elizabeth II.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle,” the Palace released in a statement. The queen also released a devastating statement as the world began to mourn the duke.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” Buckingham Palace announced.
However, Prince Harry found out about Prince Philip’s death very differently.
How did Prince Harry find out about Prince Philip’s death?
Since California is eight hours behind the U.K., TMZ reports that Prince Harry was sleeping as the British royal family awoke to the news that Prince Philip had died in his sleep. As a result, the Palace had the U.S. Embassy dial the Sussexes’ home just before 3 a.m. California time. However, since the prince was sleeping, the Embassy’s calls went unanswered.
As a result, the Embassy contacted the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department, who then sent an officer to the Sussexes’ Montecito estate. The officer woke the prince up and relayed the news of the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.
The prince later said that returning to London for his grandfather’s funeral triggered some past traumas.
“I was worried about it, I was afraid about it,” he told the Associated Press while promoting his new mental health program on Apple TV+, The Me You Can’t See. “Going through the motions and being able to lean on the toolbox, and lean on the learnings that I’ve grown from over the past, it definitely made it a lot easier, but the heart still pounds.”
Prince Harry paid tribute to Prince Philip
After finding out about his grandfather’s death, Prince Harry paid tribute to the late Royal Navy veteran. “My grandfather was a man of service, honour, and great humour,” he shared on the website for Archewell Foundation. “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 prince went on to share some personal memories for the man who had been a pillar in the royal fold for most of his life. “To me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ‘til the end.”
