The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wanted to be cautious informing their young children about the death of Prince Philip. William and Kate’s three children had a special relationship with their great-grandfather so the messaging needed to be gentle.
Prince Philip made special memories with 7-year-old Prince George, 5-year-old Princess Charlotte, and 2-year-old Prince Louis.
This is their first experience losing someone so close to them. Prince Philip was 99 years old when he died on Friday, April 9.
While we think of them as royalty, they are also a family.
William And Kate Broke It To the Children Gently
A palace insider said, “They’re still so young so he and Kate wanted to let them down gently.”
“William told George, Charlotte and Louis that Prince Philip has ‘gone to heaven’ and ‘is an angel now,’” the insider also said.
RELATED: Prince Philip Will Be Buried In This Special Place, Not Westminster Abbey
The Cambridge children were a central part of William’s tribute to Prince Philip.
The Duke of Cambridge wrote a loving tribute to his grandfather.
He wrote:
“My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.”
“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 shared a photo Kate Middleton took of Prince George sitting next to his great-grandfather in a horse-drawn carriage.
Prince Philip Loved Carriage Driving
The Duke of Edinburgh discovered the sport of carriage driving at age 50 when he had to give up polo.
“I suddenly thought ‘we have horses and carriages, so why don’t I have a go at driving,'” he remembered. “So I borrowed four horses from the stables in London, took them to Norfolk and practiced.”
It was something Prince Philip came to love so much that he produced the handbook Competition Carriage Driving. He shared the sport he loves with the Cambridge children.
“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!,” William wrote in the Instagram post below that includes a touching picture of young George with Prince Philip.
View this post on Instagram
Prince Philip also shared his love of the sport with his granddaughter Lady Louise. She is active in the sport.
The teen daughter of Prince Edward was seen driving a horse-drawn carriage on the grounds of Windsor castle the morning of the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.
It was a beautiful tribute to her beloved grandfather.
Lady Louise Windsor was spotted carriage driving in Windsor early this morning shortly before it was announced her grandfather, Prince Philip, had died. pic.twitter.com/ljrYhYYTbR
— Royal Circular (@Royal_Circular) April 9, 2021
RELATED: Prince Harry Feels ‘Guilty’ That He Was Not There To Say Goodbye To Prince Philip Before His Death
Prince Philip’s funeral will take place Saturday, April 17th at 10 EST. William and Kate will be in attendance.
It will be broadcast on BBC One. A National Minute’s Silence will preclude the ceremony.
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