Prince Philip, the longest-serving consort in history, has died, Buckingham Palace announced Friday. And now all eyes are on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry who have been estranged from the royal family since stepping down as working royals in early 2020. In more recent days, the tensions between the couple and the royal family have boiled over, following Harry and Meghan's explosive tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey. Many royal followers are wondering how the couple will publicly handle the news; if they'll return to London for the funeral services; and if Philip's death will affect or help repair Harry's relationship with his family, including his brother, Prince William, or father, Prince Charles.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex posted a heartfelt message to the Archewell site Friday afternoon in honor of Prince Philip. It reads: “In loving memory of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, 1921-2021. Thank you for your service… you will be greatly missed.”
It's unclear if Harry and Meghan—who are based in California—were made aware of Prince Philip's passing in advance, but their message is in line with the rest of the royal family who are privately grieving the death of the patriarch. (Kate Middleton and Prince William quietly changed the header on their Kennsington Royal Twitter page to a smiling black-and-white shot of Prince Philip and swapped their Instagram icon from a happily family photo to their joint monogram.)
Fittingly, Philip's wife of 73 years, Queen Elizabeth II, released the first formal press statement. Her statement, via the royal family's Twitter account, read, "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."
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. pic.twitter.com/XOIDQqlFPnApril 9, 2021
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