Prince Philip let out a sigh of relief once Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s nuptials were over, a royal author has claimed. Harry and Meghan married at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, and the ceremony included the famous 14-minute sermon by Bishop Michael Curry. Grant Harrold’s upcoming release, titled The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life of Royal Service, shares his insight in his new book, set to be published on August 28.
He wrote: “Once all the formalities were over, we watched as the happy couple, and then the other members of the Royal Family, filed out of the chapel.” He describes how Prince Philip turned to his wife, Queen Elizabeth II and uttered four brutal words: “Thank f*** that’s over.”
The former royal butler spent seven years at the Highgrove Estate between 2004 and 2011 and has now shared key moments of his time with the Royal Family in the new book.
According to US Weekly, Philip was “welcoming” to Meghan when she married into the Royal Family. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told the outlet in 2021: “He was very welcoming to Meghan because, of course, she was a newcomer and a very different newcomer.”
However, she stated, “At the time of Meghan and Harry’s romance, he wasn’t around nearly as much because he’d retired. He didn’t see very much of Meghan at all [and] he didn’t really have a chance to form a relationship with her.”
Following Philip’s death in April 2021, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex mourned him with an official statement. They wrote on their Archewell website: “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.
“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.”
“He has been a rock for Her Majesty The Queen with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, ‘Oh do get on with it!’
“So, on that note, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely missed, but always remembered—by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts.”
On April 9, 2021, a statement issued by the palace spoke of Queen Elizabeth II’s “deep sorrow” following his death at Windsor Castle.
The Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving royal consort in British history, was at the late Queen’s side for more than her six decades of reign.