Prince Philip: Eugenie pays tribute to ‘dearest Grandpa’

Royals release new pictures of the Queen and Prince Philip with great-grandchildren; Princess Eugenie pays tribute to ‘dearest Grandpa’.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with their great grandchildren. Pictured (L-R) are Prince George of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge being held by the Queen, Savannah Phillips (standing at rear), Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Isla Phillips holding Lena Tindall, and Mia Tindall. Picture: Kate Middleton via AFP.

The royal family has released new pictures of the Queen and Prince Philip surrounded by great grandchildren, as their granddaughter Eugenie writes of how much she will miss her “dearest Grandpa”.

The photographs, taken in 2015 and 2018 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland by Prince William’s wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, illustrate the love and warmth the couple shared with the youngest members of the royal family.

Today we share, along with Members of The @RoyalFamily, photographs of The Duke of Edinburgh, remembering him as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

📷 This picture was taken at Balmoral in 2015. pic.twitter.com/HxNfrL21xU

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) April 14, 2021

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh surrounded by seven of their great-grandchildren at Balmoral Castle in 2018.

©️ The Duchess of Cambridge pic.twitter.com/xMmbzfDHwL

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 14, 2021

The pictures were released by Buckingham Palace as Princess Eugenie issued a moving tribute to Prince Philip, recalling her grandfather’s advice on books to read and the painting and cooking lessons she enjoyed with him.

Her tribute cames after her cousins William and Harry remembered their “cheeky Grandpa” in separate tributes.

In a message on Instagram, Prince Andrew’s youngest daughter, who gave birth to her first child weeks ago, vowed to look after her “Granny”, the Queen, for her “dearest Grandpa”.

Alongside photographs of her and sister Princess Beatrice with the Duke of Edinburgh on a balcony garlanded with flowers, Eugenie, 31, said his memory would live on “in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren”.

“We all miss you. You would be so touched by all the tributes that have been shared with me the past few days,” she wrote.

“People remember sitting next to you at a dinner, or shaking your hand once, who remember you saying hello in passing, or remember how much their DofE award meant to them.

“I remember learning how to cook, how to paint, what to read. I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the navy”.

Eugenie also released a picture of herself with Prince Philip after a Christmas service at Sandringham. Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images.

Eugenie, who was close to Philip and has spoken emotionally in the past about her love for him, added: “I remember incinerating the sausages and you swooping in to save the day. I remember your hands and your laugh and your favourite beer.

“I will remember you in your children, your grandchildren and great grandchildren. Thank you for your dedication and love for us all and especially Granny, who we will look after for you. With all my love, Eugenie.”

Meanwhile Princess Anne carried out her first official engagement since her father’s death, travelling to the Isle of Wight to meet with members of the Royal Yacht Squadron - the prestigious club of which the Duke of Edinburgh was once admiral.

The duke’s only daughter spoke of her links and “early memories of sailing” at the Cowes-based club.

The princess’s visit comes ahead of her father’s funeral on Saturday at Windsor Castle.