Prince Philip's candid remarks and deep-seated frustrations continue to shed light on the tensions surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's role in the royal family, according to accounts from former royal staff and biographers.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold recalled that after Harry and Meghan's 2018 wedding, Prince Philip turned to Queen Elizabeth II and muttered, "Thank f** that's over."* Harrold shared the anecdote in advance of his upcoming memoir The Royal Butler, scheduled for release on August 22. He said the blunt remark captured the mix of humor and exhaustion that many in the royal household felt during the high-profile event. "When Prince Philip came out he turned to the Queen and said, 'Thank f*** that's over,'" Harrold told RadarOnline.com.
Harrold's memoir recounts moments of both levity and humility in his years of service. He recalled Prince Harry once cleaning up after a guest's dog himself, saying: "It showed what a nice, down-to-earth guy he was. He never expected to be waited on all the time." Harrold also described the annual Ghillies Ball at Balmoral, where he was encouraged by Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, to join the festivities despite his nerves.
The lighter recollections contrast sharply with royal biographer Ingrid Seward's account of Prince Philip's disappointment with Meghan Markle's approach to royal duty. In a 2020 interview with Sky News, cited by the Daily Mail, Seward said Philip "couldn't understand why Meghan wouldn't simply support Harry and the monarchy the way he had supported the Queen." She added: "He gave up everything-his career, his identity-for duty. That shaped his entire outlook."
Seward emphasized Philip's sense of sacrifice, noting he abandoned his naval career, Greek citizenship, and even his family name when he married then-Princess Elizabeth. "I think he's very, very disappointed because I think he feels he gave up his naval career in order to stand by the Queen and help the monarchy. And why can't Meghan just give up her acting career, support her husband, and support the monarchy?" Seward said.
Philip's frustrations were evident in 2020 when Harry and Meghan announced plans to step back from royal duties. Seward said the Duke of Edinburgh avoided participating in the "Sandringham Summit," where the Queen, then-Prince Charles, Prince William, and Harry discussed the couple's future. "When they had the Sandringham Summit, Prince Philip was seen leaving the house very swiftly before they all arrived," Seward noted. "He simply doesn't want to get involved anymore."
Beyond Meghan's actions, Philip had long expressed discontent with his own lack of recognition within the royal hierarchy. Historian Tessa Dunlop wrote in her biography Elizabeth and Philip that he once complained he was "the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his own children." Prime Minister Winston Churchill, supported by Queen Mary, had insisted that the royal family retain the Windsor name rather than adopt Philip's surname, Mountbatten.
Despite his grievances, Philip ultimately committed himself to more than seven decades of service. He became the longest-serving royal consort in British history and established the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which continues to influence young people worldwide.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has spoken of wanting reconciliation with his family. In a May interview with the BBC, he said: "There have been so many disagreements between me and some of my family... I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore." He added: "Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has. He won't speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile."
