Inside Prince Philip's Relationship With His Great Grandchildren
Prince Philip, who died peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday, March 9, 2021, left behind 10 great-grandchildren: Savanah and Isla Philips, and Mia, Lena, and Lucas Philip Tindall (Princess Anne's grandchildren); Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Archie Mountbatten-Windsor (Prince Charles' grandchildren); and August Philip Hawke Brooksbank (Prince Andrew's grandchild).
Much has been written about how close Prince Philip was to his grandchildren. Princess Eugenie famously called her grandfather, "the rock, you know, for all of us" (via Hola!) Prince William had one word only for his grandad: "legend" (via Daily Mail). And a royal expert once to ET that Harry and Meghan married sooner rather than later so that "his grandfather could be there, fit and healthy."
While we know how much his grandchildren adored him, not much has been written about Prince Philip's relationship with his great-grandchildren, many of whom are named after their grandpa. Here's what we do know.
Prince Philip held his great-grandchildren dear
Prince Philip may never have met his youngest great-grandchild, Lucas Philip Tindall. He and his wife, The Queen of England, were reportedly waiting until "circumstances allowed[d]" (via Hello!). But Philip did meet and spend time with his other great-grandkids. There are official photos, of course, of Philip and his great-grandchildren at official holiday events together (via BBC). But beyond such pictures, there are also hints of just how special his great-grandchildren were to Prince Philip, in private.
A royal correspondent once told Harper's Bazaar that "Philip has always been keen that his grandchildren are part of the same family dynamic. The great-grandchildren are definitely included in this." There's ample evidence to support this. You'll remember that earlier this year, Prince Harry told James Corden that Archie was in the habit of zooming with his great-grandad (via Youtube). Similarly, as Vanity Fair once reported, The Duchess of Cambridge went out of her way to make sure that her children called up Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip regularly, despite 2020 COVID-related lockdowns. "The older two talk on the telephone or send chatty videos to Windsor," an insider told the publication. Kate and William's children were close enough with their great-grandparents to send them sweet, handmade anniversary cards (via People). As for Kate and William's youngest, Prince Louis? He and his great-grandad apparently shared a love for the same cooking shows (via Express).
It seems that Prince Philip did, indeed, form lasting and loving bonds with the youngest members of his family.