A visitor today criticized Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s justification for not attending Prince Philip’s burial ceremony as “pathetic.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were the only significant members of the Royal Family to miss the Duke of Edinburgh’s Thanksgiving Service this morning at Westminster Abbey.
The couple, who live in the United States, revealed earlier this month that they would not be traveling in for the ceremony due to a security dispute.
Harry is suing the Home Office because it refuses to pay for security for the couple in the UK.
However, Richard Griffin, who was in charge of both the Queen and Prince Philip’s protection for 14 years, was upset that he did not pay his respects to his grandpa today, calling his rationale “pathetic.”
When asked about Harry’s choice not to attend the funeral, Richard, who was present, told Sky News:
“That was a great disappointment for everybody.”
He went on to say that before the ceremony began, members of the 1,800-person congregation were debating Harry’s absence.
“Certainly around where I was, everyone believed he should have been here,” he continued.
All this foolishness about his not being able to obtain protection was, in my opinion, a pitiful excuse; he should have been here to honor his grandfather.”
“At the end of the day, if he was that worried about security he could have stuck with his brother and father who have got wonderful security. He would have been more than safe.”
Richard, who worked with the Royal Family for almost a decade, thought today’s service absolutely represented the Duke.
The Queen was flanked in the front row by Prince Charles, Camilla, and Princess Anne, who was accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Meanwhile, humiliated Prince Andrew was welcomed back into the fold after attending his first public function after paying millions to settle a civil sexual assault complaint.
He sat beside Edward and Sophie, as well as their children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, after escorting the monarch down the aisle to her place.
At one point, his daughter Princess Beatrice looked to cry as she mourned her late grandfather.
Royals from all over the world were in attendance, including Monaco’s Prince Albert, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja, and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
The liturgy included aspects from Philip’s funeral that had to be removed owing to Covid.
The Duke requested a resounding rendition of Hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer for his final farewell.
As part of Philip’s strong association with the Armed Forces, the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) also performed.
