Philip and William had a strong bond

rince Philip reportedly once made a heartfelt decision for Prince William during his grandson’s darkest hours.

Philip and William had a close bond, and the late Duke of Edinburgh was right behind his grandson during a tumultuous time for the future king.
Young William was supported by his grandfather growing up (Credit: Photo by The Sun/Shutterstock)

Prince Philip’s ‘suggestion’ to Queen Elizabeth II for grieving William

In 1997, William and younger brother Harry were left devastated when their mother, Princess Diana, died following a car accident.

A few years prior, in a bid to look out for his grandson, Prince Philip reportedly stepped in to ensure that the prince had the right support amid a turbulent time.

Diana’s death topped off a tumultuous few years for the young prince. In 1992, his mother and father, now King Charles, separated. In 1995, Diana sat down for her controversial Panorama interview, in which she publicly discussed there being “three people in the marriage”.

Writing for People magazine in 2021, royal author Robert Lacey explained that during a period where William was attempting to settle into Eton College, all whilst his parents’ marriage breakdown was worldwide news, Philip suggested to Queen Elizabeth II that she have weekly lunches with her grandson.
Prince Philip reportedly helped his grandson (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Queen’s ‘weekly meetings’ with Prince William

“The 13-year-old was in a fragile place — alone and just starting boarding at the elite Eton College across the river from Windsor. Concerned for her grandson’s emotional state, the Queen invited William up to join her when Eton boys went home for the weekend,” Lacey wrote.

“Philip was crucial in helping coach William as a future king,” he continued.

“It was Philip’s idea to set up the lunches between William and his grandmother. When the time came for the Queen to talk business with William, Philip would quietly excuse himself because he didn’t feel that the constitutional side of the Queen’s job was something he wanted to interfere in,” Robert added.
Philip apparently had a suggestion for Queen Elizabeth II (Credit: SplashNews.com)

William’s admiration for Prince Philip

Following Prince Philip’s death in 2021, William spoke of his admiration for his grandfather.

Speaking in the documentary, Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, William said: “One of the things I do admire him for is that he gave up a very successful military career to be the Queen’s consort and support her and to go into service and duty in a different way.

“It was very much a ‘man’s world’ back then so for a man to give up his career to support a woman –albeit a queen – was still quite a big step.”

William also released a statement following Philip’s death.

“I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days. I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her,” he said.

William continued, saying: “I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!”

“My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead. I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.”