A royal insider has revealed that the last moments between Prince Charles and Prince Philip were ones of peace as the pair found “much common ground”.
After Prince Philip, 99, became aware he was unlikely to recover, he asked to see his first-born son, Prince Charles.
The pair had an emotional conversation, with the Duke advising Prince Charles on how to look after the Queen when he was gone as well as how Prince Charles should lead the Royal Family after his passing.
Royal author Robert Jobson said the pair “found much common ground in the past few months” after a lifelong relationship of highly publicised disputes.
“They have always loved one another – that was never in question. But there was a deeper respect and it was growing,” a source close to the Royal family told the media.
“They shared common ground on the future direction of the monarchy, on religious issues – even on the environment. They both believed in inter-faith dialogue and that talking openly and honestly can only help strengthen communities and understanding.
“A father and son who loved each other and enjoyed a relationship of mutual respect and affection.
“Over the last year of Philip’s life, they were the closest that they’ve ever been.”
Prince Charles made a touching video statement about the passing of his father, calling him his “dear papa” and saying he misses him “enormously”.
“I particularly wanted to say that my father, for 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,” Prince Charles told ITV in a video statement.“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.
“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.
“It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time. Thank you.”
This article originally appeared on Over60.