Prince Philip’s Former Bodyguard Rips Prince Harry and His ‘Pathetic Excuse’ for Being a No-Show at Memorial Service

Just about every member of the British royal family turned out for Prince Philip‘s memorial service. But one person is making headlines and drawing the ire of some for being a no-show.

Prince Harry did not attend the service for his grandfather and now the Duke of Edinburgh‘s former protection officer is sounding off on the Duke of Sussex‘s “pathetic excuse” for not being there. Here’s what he had to say and who else is criticizing Harry’s decision to skip the service and remain at home in California.

Prince Harry’s spokesperson confirmed the duke would not be attending the memorial

It was assumed by a number of royal watchers that Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, would not be making the trip abroad for Philip’s memorial as she has not been back in the U.K. for a couple of years now. However, many thought Prince Harry would travel and be in attendance; that is until he announced otherwise.

Marie Claire noted that a spokesperson for the prince released a short statement that read: “The duke will not be returning to the U.K. in late March, but hopes to visit his grandmother as soon as possible.”

According to The Sun, the queen was only given 15 minutes notice that the duke would not be attending before the statement was released to the public. For that, some royal experts have accused Harry of “snubbing” the monarch.

Prince Philip’s former guard slams Harry for skipping out on the service

Following the service, which was held at London’s Westminster Abbey on March 29, Prince Philip’s former royal protection officer Richard Griffin, who spent 14 years guarding the Duke of Edinburgh, spoke about Harry’s decision not to travel for the service and he didn’t mince words.

“[Harry not being here] was a big disappointment for everybody,” Griffin said (per Evening Standard). “People were talking about it. Certainly around where I was, people were saying he should have been here. All this nonsense about how he couldn’t get protection, as far as I’m concerned, that was a pathetic excuse. He should’ve been here to honor his grandfather.”

But Griffin isn’t the only one ripping Harry for being a no-show, several royal experts and journalists have done so as well including outspoken broadcaster Piers Morgan.

“Imagine missing your mentor grandfather’s memorial service because you’re such a spoiled brat you’d rather sulk in your Californian mansion than be there to support your grandmother? Shameful,” Morgan tweeted.

Harry’s security fight and whether he and his family return to England is uncertain now

Prince Harry has previously stated that he and his family have no intentions of returning to the U.K. unless they can hire police protection. But it’s doubtful that they will be getting a green light for that. And some royal watchers believe that the whole security holdup is just another excuse because Meghan has no interest in going back to England.

As royal commentator Camilla Tominey wrote for The Telegraph: “Maybe what the Sussexes are really trying to tell us is that Meghan categorically doesn’t [want to return]. Only time will tell.”