PRINCESS Eugenie’s moving tribute to Prince Philip emphasises “Prince Harry’s lack of respect” towards the royal family, says a royal author.
Today it has been announced that Eugenie has named her baby son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, in honour of her 99-year-old grandfather, Prince Philip.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have announced they have named their baby son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank
This comes a day after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released a statement that “lacked love” towards the royal family on how they would not be returning as senior royals.
Phil Dampier, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words, said Eugenie’s “lovely gesture” to Philip contrasts with Harry’s “belittling” statement.
He explained: “It’s a lovely gesture by Eugenie and Jack to give their son Philip as a middle name and it’s obviously a tribute to Prince Philip who is in hospital.
“Philip has been the patriarchal figure of the royal family for all these decades and all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren adore him.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced in a statement they will not rejoin the royal family as working royals
The palace confirmed the couple would lose their patronages
“It’s what makes Harry and Meghan’s departure so much sadder.
“Harry was always inspired by his grandfather but his behaviour towards him and the Queen in recent months shows a lack of respect.
“I can’t understand how he has changed so quickly and seems to have lost all sense of proportion and compassion.
“It’s almost as if he wants to cut away from his blood family altogether and he doesn’t seem to be doing anything to build bridges.”
Phil added that he was “surprised” that neither William or Harry used Philip as a name for their sons.
The middle name Philip is in tribute to Princess Eugenie’s grandad, Prince Philip
Prince Philip, 99, currently remains at King Edward VII’s hospital, having been admitted on Tuesday evening after feeling unwell
The royal expert said that Prince Philip would be “touched” at the middle name, and the Queen would be “over the Moon.”
He added: “Naming a child after a senior royal shows a warmth and affection that sadly has been lacking in the missives Harry and Meghan have released recently.”
Eugenie wrote on Instagram: “On his grandfather’s birthday weekend, thinking of my grandfather, we are introducing our little boy.
“He is named after his great grandfathers and both of his great x5 grandfathers.”
It is understood the couple chose the name August after Queen Victoria’s consort Prince Albert, who had Augustus as a middle name.
Hawke is a Brooksbank family name, and Philip is in honour of Eugenie’s grandfather and August’s great-grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip, 99, currently remains at King Edward VII’s hospital, having been admitted on Tuesday evening after feeling unwell.
Yesterday, Buckingham Palace confirmed Meghan and Harry would be officially stepping down, and the couple released a short statement moments later saying they would “remain committed” to the UK.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess said: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Phil said of the message: “Harry and Meghan’s statement seemed to lack any love or compassion, which is very sad.
“While the Queen wants to leave the door open and generously hasn’t stripped them of their royal titles, they have given nothing in return.
“While the Palace statement says how the royals are all saddened by Harry and Meghan’s departure and that they remain ‘much loved members of the family’ the Sussexes can’t resist getting in a parting shot.
“By saying ‘we can all live a life of service – service is universal,’ they are belittling the work of the Queen and the rest of the royal family.
“They don’t seem to care that they are making matters worse and that the rifts are likely to get wider.”
Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, are currently living in the US as they await the arrival of their new baby.
The palace confirmed the couple would lose their patronages, with Harry being stripped of his honorary military titles as part of the agreement.
However, they will still be known as Duke and Duchess of Sussex after being given the titles as a wedding gift at their 2018 nuptials at Windsor Castle.
Meghan and Harry last year announced they were quitting as royals, saying they wanted to become financially independent.
They have also started their own foundation, Archewell, and launched a podcast series with Spotify believed to be worth £30m.
And they are next expected to sit down in a tell-all chat with Oprah Winfrey in an interview to be aired on CBS next month.
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