The royal family have shared some of their most heartfelt and beautiful memories of Prince Philip in a new documentary honouring his life.
The BBC One special Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers was originally intended as a celebratory film to mark his 100th birthday in June 2021.
However, the Duke of Edinburgh died in April just a few months shy of 100, and since much of the footage was captured before his death, new clips were added and the film was recut as a tribute to his life.
The film aired in the UK on Wednesday September 22 and featured interviews with the royals who knew and loved Philip best.
Bringing together royals like Prince Charles, Prince William and even Prince Harry, who quit the monarchy in 2020, the documentary offers a rare insight into the royal family’s dynamics.
From hidden details about Philip’s life to sweet memories of the father, grandfather and great-grandfather before he passed, these are the best moments from the film.
Prince Philip died on April 9, 2021, aged 99.
(Getty)Philip’s sweet bond with Lady Louise Windsor
Lady Louise Windsor opened up about her late grandfather in one of the first clips royal watchers have ever seen of her speaking.
Recalling the carriage rides she regularly went on with Philip, Louise offered a sweet insight to their unique relationship.
“He’d take me on a different route every day and I do not know how he managed to do that,” she said.
“He would tell me all sorts of anecdotes about absolutely anything and everything, he’s honestly one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met.”
Louise, who is daughter to Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward, rarely engages in public royal duties and typically avoids the press.
Philip didn’t think he’d make it to 100
In the documentary, Prince Charles opened up about his father’s surprisingly frank attitude to turning 100, though Philip died before he reached that milestone.
Charles recalled mentioning the occasion to his father during a phone call, saying: “We’re talking about your birthday! And whether there’s going to be reception!”
Philip’s deadpan response was, “Well, I’ve got to be alive for it, haven’t I?”
“I knew you’d say that!” Charles replied.
Sadly, that turned out to be one of the Prince of Wales’ last conversations with his father before he died in April this year.
Prince Harry also touched on his grandfather’s 100th birthday, explaining: “Whereas in cricket most people want to get to a century, he had a fantastic innings and it’s almost as though at 99 he came running out the crease and scored a massive 6.
“But he didn’t actually want to get to a century.”
Prince Charles revealed one of his last conversations with his late father.
(Getty)Philip’s reaction his his great-grandchildren being named after him
Several of Philip’s great-grandkids carry names inspired by him, including Princess Eugenie’s son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.
August was born in February, just months before Philip died, and Eugenie revealed how her grandfather reacted to the name.
“We named August August Philip because Grandpa has been such a huge, inspiring character in my life,” she said, holding back tears.
“I brought little August to meet him and told him that we’d named him after him and it was such a lovely moment. We were very lucky to do that.”
Philip’s touching wedding gift to Princess Eugenie
Philip’s arrival at Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank in 2018 came as a surprise, as the palace hadn’t confirmed he’d be attending.
The bride’s grandfather turned up with a touching gift on the big day; a painting of a flower arrangement.
He had created the artwork himself and Eugenie adores the memento from her late grandfather.
“It was so nice, it’s now sitting in my house in London and I’m so proud of it,” she said.
Philip went on to attend her sister, Princess Beatrice’s wedding in 2020. It was the last royal wedding he attended before his death.
Princess Eugenie on her wedding day in 2018.
(Getty)Philip was a royal prankster
According to the royals, Philip used to get in trouble with the Queen for playing pranks on his grandchildren.
“He used to take the lid off [a mustard tube] and put it in your hands… and then he’d squish your hands together to fire the mustard on to the ceiling,” William revealed in a teaser clip.
“He used to get in a lot of trouble from my grandmother.”
The Duke of Cambridge went on to say that Philip loved “messing around” with his grandkids, a sentiment his cousins echoed.
Zara Tindall also recalled the mustard prank, saying it left the condiment “all over the ceiling”, her brother Peter Phillips adding that the stains are “still there”.
Prince Harry shares a laugh with Prince Philip before his death.
(Getty)Philip and the Queen were an “adorable” couple
Prince Harry recalled the sweet bond between his late grandfather and the Queen, calling them “the most adorable couple.”
“Knowing the cheekiness of him and knowing that behind what the world sees, you have two individuals who were very much in love, and both at a very young age dedicated both of their lives to service,” the Duke of Sussex said.
“The places these two travelled, the things they saw, the experiences they went through: that is an incredible bond between two people.”
Princess Eugenie echoed her cousin’s admiration for their grandparents, saying: “They’re one of the most remarkable couples I think the world has even seen and will ever see.
“And Granny has been able to be the person she is with the love and support from Grandpa.”
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wed in 1949 and were married for 73 years.
Despite losing her beloved husband, Harry said “I also know [the Queen is] going to be ok without him.”
Philip and the Queen liked when things went wrong
William and Harry revealed that their grandparents actually enjoyed when things went a little wrong during royal engagements.
The Duke of Cambridge said that the couple, who were known for their sense of humour, “loved” a bit of chaos.
Meanwhile the Duke of Sussex remarked: “There’s that imbalance of everyone doing their absolute best to make sure, ‘The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are coming let’s make sure everything is absolutely right. Remember every single year has gone right.'”
“While the two of them are going, ‘Well I wonder if something’s gonna go wrong this year? How exciting’.”
The royal duo supposedly enjoyed it when things went wrong.
(Getty)Philip’s secret Australian talent
In a preview clip from the documentary Charles, William and Sophie, Countess of Wessex revealed Philip had a secret love of barbecuing.
The very Aussie hobby was a central feature of family life for Philip and his royal relatives, according to Charles and William.
“He adored barbecuing and he turned that into an interesting art form,” Charles said of his late father.
William added: “Every barbecue that I’ve ever been on, the Duke of Edinburgh has been there cooking.”
Prince Philip attends a barbecue during a visit to Australia.
(Getty)
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