Prince Phillip reportedly spent his final weeks preparing his son Charles to take over his role.
Royal sources says that the pair shared a “full and frank” discussion about readying the heir for the changing of the guard, when Charles visited him at the King Edward VII’s Hospital in London at the end of February.
Speaking to The Mirror a source said: “The Duke was doing everything he could to get out of hospital but he summoned his son to have a discussion that was both full and frank, yet heartfelt – and, truth be told, neither of them were sure it would not be their last meeting.”
The Duke of Edinburgh passed away at the age on 99 on Friday morning at Windsor Castle just two months shy of his 100th birthday.
Charles dedicated a tribute to his father from his Gloucestershire home, Highgrove.
He said: “I particularly wanted to say that my father, for I suppose the last 70 years, has given the most remarkable, devoted service to the Queen, to my family and to the country, but also to the whole of the Commonwealth.
Fireworks set off outside Celtic stadium during two minute silence for Prince Philip
“As you can imagine, my family and I miss my father enormously.
“He was a much-loved and appreciated figure and apart from anything else, I can imagine, he would be so deeply touched by the number of other people here and elsewhere around the world and the Commonwealth, who also, I think, share our loss and our sorrow.
Prince Charles pays tribute to 'dear Papa' Prince Philip in moving footage
“My dear Papa was a very special person who I think above all else would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him and from that point of view we are, my family, deeply grateful for all that.
Royal insiders said that despite having a sometimes contentious relationship, Charles would remember his father fondly.
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The insider continued: “The family can look back fondly at his remarkable life and legacy which is everywhere you look. He really is woven into the fabric of so much of Britain.”
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