Prince Charles shares emotional tribute to Prince Philip

Prince Charles has spoken of his “loss and sorrow” in an emotional first public appearance after the death of his father.

Prince Charles makes a statement about the death of his father, Prince Philip. Picture: Twitter

In an emotional statement, Prince Charles has paid tribute to his father the Duke of Edinburgh.

Charles said he misses his father “enormously” and the Duke would be “so deeply touched” by the outpouring of grief.

“I particularly wanted to say that my father, for I suppose the last 70 years, has given the most remarkable, devoted service to The Queen, to my family and to the country, but also to the whole of the Commonwealth,” Prince Charles told ITV News in a video statement from Highgrove, Gloucestershire.

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Prince Charles makes a statement about the death of his father, Prince Philip. Picture: Twitter

“As you can imagine, my family and I miss my father enormously.

“He was a much loved and appreciated figure and apart from anything else, I can imagine, he would be so deeply touched by the number of other people here and elsewhere around the world and the Commonwealth, who also I think, share our loss and our sorrow.

“My dear Papa was a very special person who I think above all else would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him and from that point of view we are, my family, deeply grateful for all that.

“It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time. Thank you.”

Watch Prince Charles' tribute to his father, the Duke of Edinburgh. Charles says Prince Philip will be missed 'enormously' by the Royal Family.https://t.co/2SJtjrbg1Qpic.twitter.com/S3N5id7dny

— ITV News (@itvnews) April 10, 2021

It comes after Prince Charles praised his father’s “astonishing achievements” and Princess Anne said “life without him will be completely different”. They joined senior members of the Firm, who spoke fondly of the beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather in broadcasts on Friday night, UK time. .

Prince Philip’s first born son, Charles, told the BBC his father “didn’t suffer fools gladly” as he marvelled at what he accomplished by the Queen’s side for seven decades.

He said: “His energy was astonishing in supporting my mama, and doing it in such a long time.

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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh with Charles Prince of Wales and Princess Anne in 1952. Picture: AFP.

“What he’s done, amounts to an astonishing achievement, I think.” Princess Anne said of his key role as Prince consort: “It must have evolved quite dramatically from the early stages. I don’t think the structure in terms of support to the monarchy was designed to deal with a consort.

“And it took a while to find people who understood he had extraordinary experience and skills that they could make use of. But he also found ways he could make an impact.” In all sorts of ways [life would be different without him], in terms of within our family it’s fundamental as without him it would be completely different.

“But I think also from society’s perspective – he’s been able to keep pace with the kind of technological changes that have such an impact… but at the bottom of all that, it’s not about the technology it’s about the people.”

Prince Edward added to ITV News: “My parents have been such a fantastic support to each other during all those years and all those events and all those tours and events overseas.

“To have someone that you confide in and smile about things that you perhaps could not in public. To be able to share that is immensely important.

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The royal family together in 2007. Picture: TIM GRAHAM AFP.

“He was always able to manage interviews and say things that the rest of always dreamed we could say. He was brilliant. Always absolutely brilliant.

“He had a wonderful sense of humour but of course you can always misinterpret something or turn it against them, so it sounds like its not right.” But anyone who had the privilege to hear him speak said it was his humour which always came through and the twinkle in his eye.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also paid tribute to Prince Philip on Friday.

A note on their Archewell website, set against a dark background, says: “In loving memory of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. 1921-2021.”

It adds: “Thank you for your service … you will be greatly missed.”

Prince Harry’s statement on Prince Philip. Picture: Archewell

It comes after Buckingham Palace revealed that Philip’s funeral will be broadcast to the nation on TV next Saturday UK time (12am Sunday 12:00am AEST), with Charles leading a procession to the chapel at Windsor Castle.

Just after midday on Friday, the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK as the world mourns his death.

The Queen, 94, shared a poignant photo of Philip in a heartfelt tribute to her “strength and guide”. The tragic news of his death is a huge blow to the Queen, with the Duke widely known to be the backbone of the Royal Family.

The royal passed away two months and one day short of what would have been his 100th birthday.

Prince Philip’s funeral is expected to take place next Saturday – but the public has been urged to stay away over coronavirus fears.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s body will lie at rest at Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral in St George’s Chapel.

BBC radio stations immediately interrupted broadcasts with the news of his death and played the national anthem shortly after in a sign of respect. Devastated mourners have gathered at the gates of Buckingham Palace – with the Royal Family setting up an online book of condolence.

Plans for Prince Philip’s passing had already been drawn up and dubbed Operation Forth Bridge.

The UK as a whole has also entered a state of national mourning which is to be “observed by all” until the Duke’s funeral.

This article was originally published on The Sun and has been republished here with permission.