What Kind of Grandfather Was Prince Philip?
Prince Philip, also known formally as the Duke of Edinburgh, died on April 9th, leaving a void in the royal family that can never be filled. The family patriarch was married to Queen Elizabeth II for over 70 years, forming an incredible, enduring partnership. While Prince Philip had been involved in some scandals during the course of his life, by and large, many people had nothing but positive things to say about him — and of his commitment to serving the people of England. Possibly his most enduring legacy, however, is the relationship that Prince Philip had with his children and grandchildren.
Prince Philip died after a long illness
On April 9, 2021, fans around the world were shocked when Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming that Prince Philip died at the age of 99. The Duke of Edinburgh had been battling poor health for several months, including a stint in the hospital — where he was when Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey aired on television.
Prince Philip had been retired from his duties as a senior royal for several years, spending most of his time behind the scenes. Still, when he did make public appearances, royal fans always reacted positively to him. His relationship with Queen Elizabeth II, to whom he had been married since 1947, served as an inspiration to many, and at the end of his life, Prince Philip left behind a lifetime of love and service that will never be forgotten.
Prince Philip’s many grandchildren
Possibly Prince Philip’s most important contribution to the royal family was the family that he helped to build. As the father to four children and grandfather to eight, Prince Philip spent a great deal of his time with the younger generation. Prince Philip’s grandchildren include Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Anne’s two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall. He was also the grandfather to Prince Edward’s two children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
An active military man, Prince Philip enjoyed many outdoor hobbies and was able to bond with his grandchildren over their shared love of activities such as polo matches, horseback riding, and carriage driving. Some reports claim that Prince Philip shared an especially close bond with Prince William, the eldest son of Prince Charles — and Prince William’s own words seem to back this up.
Prince Philip was reportedly an involved grandfather
According to a recent report by Town & Country, Prince Philip was a very involved grandfather. The report reveals that Prince Philip was “brusque and practical” as well as fiercely loving and loyal to his family.
Princess Eugenie once praised her grandfather, stating “I think Grandpa is incredible. He really is strong and consistent. He’s been there for all these years, and I think he’s the rock, you know, for all of us.”
The report dives into Prince Philip’s unique relationship with each one of his grandchildren, detailing how he played a central role in Prince William and Prince Harry’s lives after the 1997 death of their mother, Princess Diana.
Prince William was frequently pictured alongside his grandfather at public events, and it was clear that the two shared a deep connection. In fact, when asked to describe Prince Philip, Prince William said the following: “Just one word—legend!” Clearly, Prince Philip was far more than a hardworking member of the royal family – he was a loving father and grandfather who wanted only the best for his family.
