A tear-jerking moment at Diana's funeral between Philip and his grandson has emerged. Photo / Getty Images
A tear-jerking moment at Diana's funeral between Philip and his grandson has emerged. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Philip is often seen to have been the late Queen Elizabeth II’s biggest supporter and confidante throughout her time as monarch, but he also was a steady force for his grandson, Prince William.
While the Queen was the head of state, her husband was often thought of as the head of the family, caring for their four kids, eight grandchildren and, later on, their great-grandchildren, royal experts say.
The royal made over 5,000 speeches throughout his life, was the first royal to do a televised interview and had a wealth of experience to pass down to his loved ones.
For William and Harry, the late Duke was allegedly a steady shoulder for the boys following their mother Princess Diana’s untimely passing, offering them counsel and support in their darkest days.
When Prince Philip died, Prince William paid tribute to his grandfather, saying his “enduring presence” guided him and his brother “through good times and the hardest days”.
This “enduring presence”, as well as his caring character, could be seen clearly during Diana’s funeral on September 6, 1997.
Prince Phillip and Prince William enjoy the build-up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final match between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on October 31, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. Photo / Getty Images
At first, there were no plans for Philip to walk behind the former Princess of Wales’ coffin, as this right was reserved for immediate family only.
However, after talking with his grandson, who requested he walk beside him in support, the Duke of Edinburgh could not say no.
Royal biographer Gyles Brandreth said in the ITV documentary Philip: Prince, Husband, Father: “It wasn’t his idea, but there was a tradition at royal funerals of members of the royal family walking behind the hearse.”
“There was no plan originally for Prince Philip to be part of that. Prince Philip said to Prince William, ‘If it would help, I could walk alongside you’.
“So, he volunteered to do that, Prince William accepted the invitation, so far from being what was being reported, it was an act of grandfatherly kindness to try to offer support to Prince William.”
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and the Prince of Wales follow the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales. Photo / Anwar Hussein / WireImage
Prior to this, the two young princes had not wanted to walk behind their mum’s hearse.
Ingrid Seward, who wrote My Husband And I: The Inside Story of the Royal Marriage, said: “At first, William flatly refused. Charles pleaded with him and said that it would be utterly wrong of him not to accompany them.”
“Prince Philip weighed into the argument, and eventually, William agreed to take part - but only on the condition that his grandfather walked beside him.”
Prince William and Prince Harry stand outside Westminster Abbey at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. Photo / Anwar Hussein
Philip reportedly said, “It’s about the boys. They’ve lost their mother”, before telling William, “I’ll walk if you walk”.
On the day of the funeral, when he thought no cameras could spot them, Philip whispered something in the Prince’s ear, putting his arm around him and comforting him as they passed underneath the arches of Horse Guard’s Parade.
When asked about the heartbreaking moment, the Duke of Edinburgh said “he didn’t think the cameras could see them”.
