Just days before Prince Philip’s funeral, Prince Harry described how he eventually had a “short, heart-racing” talk on the phone about his grandfather’s passing.

Prince Harry missed a staggering 32 calls from the Royal Family trying to inform him of his beloved grandfather, Prince Philip’s passing back in 2021, as detailed in Harry’s bombshell memoir, Spare.

On April 9 of that year, the longest-serving consort died at the age of 99, just two months before he was due to become a centenarian. In the days before the funeral, Prince Harry described how he had woken to “32 missed calls” before having a “short, heart-racing” talk with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

While Harry’s wider family in the UK grieved, a colossal communication blunder was unfolding thousands of miles away in sunny California, where Harry now resides with his wife, Meghan Markle, and two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Just days before Philip’s funeral, Harry recalled the “harrowing” conversation he had with his grandmother, in which the late monarch said: “Harry… grandfather has passed away.” Harry’s return for Prince Philip’s funeral was a poignant moment, capturing the world’s attention.

Following the death of his grandfather, Harry paid a touching tribute to Philip, branding him the “legend of banter”. In a published statement, he said: “He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm – and also because you never knew what he might say next.

“He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince and a Duke. But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right till the end.”

Harry also thanked him for his dedication to the late Queen, to whom he was married for 73 years — and for “always being himself”.

The youngest son of King Charles also describes turning up to Frogmore Gardens in Windsor after the funeral of Prince Philip. The Duke of Sussex says it was at this moment, alone, that he reflected on “how sad” it was that Frogmore Cottage was to be his and Meghan’s “home for life” before they left royal duties behind, with the two stepping down as working royals in 2020.

Prince Harry joined other members of the royal family to walk behind grandfather’s coffin during the procession to St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Though the funeral service was a reunion for Harry and William, the brothers were separated during the somber walk by cousin Peter Phillips.

Buckingham Palace previously pointed out the arrangement was “a practical change rather than sending a signal.”

A spokesperson added: “This is a funeral and we are not going to be drawn into perceptions of drama. The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty’s wishes.”

The funeral arrangements had for the most part been planned by Prince Philip himself over the past few years. The Duke also personally planned the hearse, which was a custom Land Rover – Prince Philip had used Land Rovers throughout his adult life and also granted his Royal Warrant to Land Rover more than 40 years ago.