Princess Anne’s heartfelt tribute to her father Prince Philip and his inspirational legacy

Princess Anne has shared a deeply personal statement honoring her father Prince Philip following his sad passing last week.

• The Princess Royal has described the Duke of Edinburgh as her “teacher”, “supporter” and “critic” as she paid tribute to him. 
• Princess Anne spoke of the inspiring legacy her beloved father left behind.
• In other royal news, Prince Philip asked these three things of son Prince Charles before he died. 

Princess Anne has opened up for the first time following the sad passing of her father Prince Philip aged 99 at Windsor Castle. The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen had been married for over seven decades and he was still “fascinated” and “charmed” by her after all their many happy years together. 

Prince Philip's funeral is set to take place on Saturday, April 17 at St George’s Chapel Windsor, whilst gun salutes took place over the weekend across the UK, Gibraltar, and warships at sea to honor him. Since Prince Philip’s death, his eldest son Prince Charles has spoken about his “dear papa” in an incredibly moving tribute. 

Whilst Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge shared a touching photograph. And Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex gave a statement praising his years of dedicated service to Queen and country. 

Now the Duke of Edinburgh’s only daughter, Princess Anne, has also broken her silence following this tragic loss. In a statement shared on the Royal Family’s website, the Princess Royal revealed her ambition to “emulate” her father’s admirable qualities and approach to life.

She stated: “My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate. 

“His ability to treat every person as an individual in their own right with their own skills comes through all the organizations with which he was involved.”

Princess Anne declared that it was an “honour and a privilege” to have been “asked to follow in his footsteps and it has been a pleasure to have kept him in touch with their activities.”

“I know how much he meant to them, in the UK, across the Commonwealth and in the wider world”, she continued.

The Royal Family have previously asked the public not to mourn by leaving floral tributes, given social distancing restrictions. Instead, they have asked for people to consider making a donation to charity in his memory instead.

Regardless, the outpouring of support for Her Majesty and the Royal Family at this difficult time has been wonderful.

And it seems it has definitely not gone unnoticed as Princess Anne revealed just how much this means to them. 

“I would like to emphasise how much the family appreciate the messages and memories of so many people whose lives he also touched”, she stated. 

“We will miss him but he leaves a legacy which can inspire us all.”