Royal Family's Most Moving Tributes to the Late Prince Philip Since His Death
Forever in their hearts. After Prince Philip died in April 2021 at the age of 99, many members of the royal family have been outspoken about honoring their father, grandfather and great-grandfather after his death.
Five months after the Duke of Edinburgh’s death, England’s BBC network produced a new documentary to celebrate his life and legacy. The Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers televised special featured interviews with Queen Elizabeth II and Philip’s four adult children, eight adult grandchildren and other family members to share fond memories about the Greece native’s life, career and memory.
“He’s always been a huge presence behind everything we’ve done, really,” Prince William said in a trailer for the film.
The documentary, which was initially created to mark his milestone 100th birthday, included interviews that were filmed before and after his death.
“What you see is what you got with my grandfather. He was unapologetically him,” Prince Harry recalled in the televised special.
The BBC film is not the first time the royals have honored or paid tribute to Philip’s legacy. Weeks before the U.K. television premiere of Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, the royals named a new lifeboat in his honor.
“With the naming of ‘Duke of Edinburgh’, the RNLI honour HRH’s lifelong commitment to maritime services and his @royalnavy career,” a statement posted on the royal family’s official Instagram account read that September. “Having trained at Dartmouth, The Duke went on to become one of @royalnavy youngest First Lieutenants, and saw active service in WWII.”
Buckingham Palace first confirmed the news of the consort’s death on April 9, 2021.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle,” a statement read at the time. “The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss. Further announcements will be made in due course.”
Shortly after Philip’s death, Harry released a lengthy statement of his own, honoring his beloved late grandfather, noting Philip was a “legend” and always “authentically himself.”
“My grandfather was a man of service, honour and great humour. He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm—and also because you never knew what he might say next,” the BetterUp Chief Impact Officer wrote in a statement obtained by Us Weekly at the time. “He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the Monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince and a Duke. But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ‘til the end.”
Shortly after his death, the family gathered for an intimate funeral at Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla, the Duke of Cambridge, Duchess Kate and the Duke of Sussex were all in attendance alongside other close family members. Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, was absent since she was pregnant with their second child, staying back in California with the pair’s son Archie.
Scroll below to see how the royals have honored Prince Philip since his death:
Philip’s children and adult grandchildren (including Prince William and Prince Harry) participated in the BBC’s Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers documentary, which was released in September 2021, to honor his legacy with a series of interviews. His eldest son, Prince Charles, noted in one scene, “We were lucky to have him for nearly one hundred years,” before later recalling the somber final conversation the duo shared.
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Five months after Philip’s death, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution named a lifeboat in his honor, marking the consort’s previous naval career and “commitment to maritime services,” according to a statement from the royal family.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a new portrait of their eldest son, Prince George, in July 2021 with a subtle nod to Philip. In the photo, George sits on a Land Rover, which his late great-grandfather was a fan of. Philip even designed the modified version of the British vehicle that carried his casket during his funeral.
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To celebrate what would have been Philip’s 100th birthday, the long-running British monarch received a newly designed breed of roses that was named for the Duke of Edinburgh in June 2021. The flower, planted on the grounds at Windsor Castle, was created by rose breeders Harkness Roses and came in a bright pink hue.
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Weeks after Philip’s death, Prince Harry aimed to honor his legacy on Earth Day.
“On this Earth Day, I reflect on generations of conservation champions, including my late grandfather, and feel proud and energized to continue doing my part in this legacy,” Harry, said in a statement that April, alongside a video for the African Parks organization. “This year especially, I join the incredible African Parks team and communities around the world in shared dedication to our environment and collective wellbeing.”
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The Duchess of Cornwall dedicated her book club picks to her father-in-law after his death.
“As Patron of BookTrust, which I inherited from my late father-in-law His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, I would like to dedicate the next series of my Reading Room to him, in memory of a great fellow reader,” Camilla shared via Instagram that April.
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During Philip’s funeral on April 27, 2021, the queen placed a handwritten note atop his casket during the services. The note, as captured via photos from the services, appeared to be written on her official stationery and read, “I love you,” alongside her childhood nickname, “Lilibet.”
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