PRINCE William’s touching tribute to Philip was not a “dig” at his brother and the pair are “unified”, Harry’s pal Omid Scobie says.
The two brothers yesterday released separate messages remembering their grandad after he passed away on Friday aged 99.
Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip’s death…
William vowed to focus on his duty and continue supporting the Queen – causing some to speculate if he was having a pop at Harry after he left the royal family for a life in the US with Meghan Markle.
But the Sussex’s friend Omid Scobie, who released Harry’s personal tribute to Philip on his Twitter yesterday, has insisted this isn’t the case.
The writer, who co-authored explosive biography Finding Freedom about Megxit, told Good Morning Britain: “I think for us on the outside it might look like that but I think we have to remember that that is William’s role, he is the future head of state and so he is really thinking about getting back to work.
“I don’t think it was anything aimed at his brother. In fact I think across the board in the royal family right now everyone is really looking at putting differences aside to focus on what matters and that’s focusing on Prince Philip’s life and legacy but also rallying around the Queen during her time of need.
“I think if there’s anything that’s sort of beautiful about this week and in the days leading up to the funeral it’s about seeing a family unified in a way that we haven’t seen in so many years.”
Scobie also claimed Philip’s death will be the “first steps forward” in the brothers repairing their cracked relationship.
William and Harry haven’t seen each other in other a year – with the latter recently claiming his older brother was “trapped” in the royal family in his chat with Oprah Winfrey.
Scobie said: “I think just simply being in the same room as each other is enough to count as those first steps forward.
“As the days continue the focus will remain on Philip and the Queen) but this will certainly at the least open the door to conversations later on.”
Harry is currently quarantining at Frogmore Cottage – the marital home he shared with Meghan in Windsor – ahead of the funeral on Saturday.
Pregnant Meghan has remained in the US as she reportedly “didn’t want to be the centre of attention”.
She has also chosen to stay in California with son Archie after being advised not to travel because of her pregnancy.
Harry’s arrival in the UK came a day before he released a poignant message remembering his grandad as “master of the barbecue and legend of banter”.
He said Philip was “cheeky ’til the end” and “authentically himself” throughout his more than 70 years of service to the nation.
And he thanked the dedicated royal for being a “rock” to his grandmother the Queen.
While Prince William hailed “extraordinary” Philip – saying his children will miss their “mischievous” great-grandfather.
He added: “I know he would want us to get on with the job.”
