PRINCE Philip reportedly asked three things of his eldest son Charles before he died – including to care for the Queen when he is gone.
The Duke of Edinburgh is said to have summoned his son in the weeks before his death as he recovered from an infection and heart surgery in hospital.
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Royal sources said that during one conversation at the King Edward VII’s Hospital at the end of February, the father and son had “full and frank” and “heartfelt” discussion, The Mirror reports.
Among his final requests, the Duke is said to have advised Prince Charles on caring for the Queen when he was gone.
He also spoke about how the Prince of Wales should lead the Royal Family through the years ahead, according to expert Robert Jobson.
His third wish was to go home to rest, so he could die in his own bed behind the walls of Windsor Castle, a Palace source revealed.
Prince Charles had appeared sombre and teary eyed as he visited his ill father in hospital.
He was later “thrilled” when his father returned home – but Philip sadly died on Friday, April 9, at the age of 99.
He was in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his family.
Charles has since paid tribute to his “dear papa,” describing him as “a very special person” who “would have been amazed by the reaction” and the “touching things that have been said about him” since Friday.
His full message 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.
“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.”
Charles went on to thank the public for their kind words about his father in the message.
He continued: “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.”
