MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry’s excuse for not showing up at Prince Philip’s memorial service was today slammed by a guest as “pathetic”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were the only major members of the Royal Family to skip the Duke of Edinburgh’s Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey this morning.
The couple, who live in the US, earlier this month confirmed they would not be flying in for the event amid a row over their security.
Harry is suing the Home Office because it refused to spend taxpayers’ money on bodyguards.
But Richard Griffin, who was responsible for the safety of both the Queen and Prince Philip for 14 years, was disappointed he did not pay his respects to his grandfather today, blasting his reason “pathetic”.
Asked about Harry’s decision not to attend, Richard, who was a guest at the service, told Sky News: “That was a big disappointment for everybody.”
Read More Royals
He went on to add members of the 1,800-strong congregation were discussing Harry’s absence before the service began.
And he added: “Certainly around where I was they thought he should have been here.
It comes as…
- Princess Beatrice appeared to well up at the emotional service
- The Queen paid tribute to Prince Philip in a thanksgiving service honouring his life
- A body language expert said Prince Andrew remains the Queen’s favourite child
- The Queen left a personal tribute to Prince Philip in the flowers at his service
- The Monarch, Princess Anne and Camilla all gave a subtle nod to the Duke of Edinburgh with their outfits
“All this nonsense about he couldn’t get protection, as far as I’m concerned that was a pathetic excuse, he should have been here to honour his grandfather.
“At the end of the day, if he was that worried about security he could have stuck with his brother and father who have got wonderful security. He would have been more than safe.”
Richard worked for the Royal Family for over a decade and said today’s service captured the Duke perfectly.
The Queen was supported in the front pew by Prince Charles and Camilla and Princess Anne with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Meanwhile shamed Prince Andrew – attending his first public event after he paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case – was welcomed back into the fold.
He sat with Edward and Sophie and their children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, having walked the monarch down the aisle towards her seat.
His daughter Princess Beatrice appeared to well up at one point as she remembered her late grandfather.
And Royals from around the world – including Prince Albert of Monaco, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia – were also in attendance.
The service featured elements that Philip wanted at his funeral that had to be scrapped due to Covid.
Read More on The Celeb Report
This included a rousing chorus of Hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer the Duke requested for his final farewell.
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) also played as part of Philip’s longstanding relationship with the Armed Forces.
