Prince Harry expresses grief over Prince Philip’s death but sparks social media backlash

Prince Harry has copped public backlash for his very brief, matter-of-fact tribute to his grandfather, which was dubbed “ice cold”.

Prince Harry has copped public backlash for his very brief, matter-of-fact tribute to his grandfather, the late Prince Philip, which was seen as “ice cold”.

The Duke of Sussex and wife Meghan Markle posted their tribute on their official Archewell charity website simply saying: “Thank you for your service. You will be greatly missed.”

Prince Harry was the first member of the royal family - aside from the Queen - to post a personal message about his grandfather’s death. Prince William and Prince Charles have reposted the Queen’s announcement.

But the message has sparked a social media furuore with former editor of The Sun newspaper, Kelvin MacKenzie, tweeting it was “ice cold”.

“Their ice cold “thank you for your service” farewell to Prince Philip signals to me a detachment from his family which must lead tol Harry and Meghan giving up their titles or having them removed,” he claimed.

“PR advice galore and yet no affection. They really are pieces of work.”

Their ice cold "thank you for your service" farewell to Prince Philip signals to me a detachment from his family which must lead tol Harry and Meghan giving up their titles or having them removed. PR advice galore and yet no affection. They really are pieces of work.

— Kelvin MacKenzie (@kelvmackenzie) April 9, 2021

Prince Harry is said to be extremely close to his grandfather, pictured here in 2012. Picture: AFP

Prince Harry’s statement on the death of Prince Philip. Picture: Archewell

Mackenzie said the message appeared to show a “lack of affection” for Prince Philip, and that “LA was ruining” Prince Harry.

“I am astonished at the lack of affection in the Harry and Meghan statement. It read; “Thank you for your service. You will be greatly missed.” He wasn’t a distant relative they hadn’t seen in years. Philip was his grandfather for God’s sake. Where’s the love? LA is ruining him,” he tweeted.

I am astonished at the lack of affection in the Harry and Meghan statement. It read; "Thank you for your service. You will be greatly missed." He wasn't a distant relative they hadn't seen in years. Philip was his grandfather for God's sake. Where's the love? LA is ruining him.

— Kelvin MacKenzie (@kelvmackenzie) April 9, 2021

It is expected that Prince Harry will fly back to Britain from his new home in California for his grandfather’s funeral.

He is likely to face five days of quarantine.

But it’s unclear whether heavily pregnant Meghan Markle — who is due with the couple’s second child in early July — will join Prince Harry.

Her ability to fly the nearly 12 hours from the Sussexes’ California home to England will depend on her doctor’s orders and air carrier guidance, according to a report in the New York Post.

But, according to a royal source, Prince Harry wouldn’t miss the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral for the world.

“Harry was extremely close to his grandfather,” a UK royal source reportedly told The New York Post.

Prince Philip and the Queen pictured with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Christmas Day 2017. Picture: AFP

“He will, of course, be there, no matter how difficult relations are between the Sussexes and the family.”

Prince Harry’s expected return to his native country comes after he and Meghan split from the royal family in January 2020 — and weeks after their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey that roiled Buckingham Palace.

In the two-hour, no-holds-barred sit-down, Meghan revealed that someone in the royal family questioned how dark their son Archie’s skin might be.

Prince William and Prince Harry reportedly only agreed to walk behind their mother’s coffin if Prince Philip would accompany them. Picture: AFP

In February, Prince Harry said he keeps in touch with his grandparents via Zoom.

“We’ve Zoomed them a few times,” he told TV talk show host James Corden. “They’ve seen Archie running around.”

The Duke of Sussex laughed as he recalled that instead of clicking to leave the call, Prince Philip would slam his laptop shut.

“He just goes ‘doof’!” Prince Harry said, mimicking shutting a laptop.

The details of the funeral are yet to be formally announced, however Prince Philip has expressed a wish for a no-fuss military style send off at St George’s Chapel inside Windsor Castle.

Prince Philip with the Queen, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Doria Ragland soon after Archie’s birth. Picture: Getty Images

– with the New York Post

Originally published as Prince Harry expresses grief over Prince Philip’s death but sparks social media backlash