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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle slammed for tribute to Prince Philip: 'Astonished at the lack of affection'

Some Twitter users even compared Donald Trump's tribute to Prince Philip to Harry and Meghan's, stating the former was 'more heartfelt'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle paid their tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Harry's grandfather died on Friday, April 9, 2021. The tribute comes at a juncture when Harry and Meghan remain in a volatile position with the Royal Family, following their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey last month.

During the interview, they brought forth serious allegations against the Royal Family. These are believed to have deepened the rift between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Firm, first caused by their decision to withdraw from Royal Family duties. The couple, who is currently expecting their second child and resides in Los Angeles, USA, is being slammed for their 'deeply disrespectful' tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh. 

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What did Harry and Meghan write in Prince Philip's tribute?

Shared on the Archewell website, the brief tribute to Prince Philip reads, "IN LOVING MEMORY OF His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021." It is followed by a statement saying, "Thank you for your service...you will be greatly missed."

According to Forbes, other members of the immediate Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William, everyone have used the same solemn statement to announce and mourn the death of Prince Philip. 

However, it now appears that Harry and Meghan are drawing severe backlash for the statement. 

'It was deeply disrepectful'

According to The Independent, Brexit leader Nigel Farage targetted Harry and Meghan with a scathing attack for their brief tribute message. "‘I won’t use the words about Meghan and Harry that I would like to, but I think it was deeply disrespectful," he reportedly said during an appearance on FOX News. 

"For a couple that do public emotion as a career, this third-person and one-sentence statement shows their contempt for this great man and the monarchy. The British public will not welcome Harry and Meghan back, even for the funeral," Farage further stated on Twitter. 

'Astonished at the lack of affection'

Farage is not the only one to attack the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as Twitter is flooded with heavy criticism for the former Royals. 

"I am astonished at the lack of affection in the Harry and Meghan statement. It read; "Thank you for your service. You will be greatly missed." He wasn't a distant relative they hadn't seen in years. Philip was his grandfather for God's sake. Where's the love? LA is ruining him," tweeted The Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie. 

Sharing former POTUS Donald Trump's message on Prince Philip's death, Rita Panahi wrote, "More heartfelt message than the single glib line Harry & Meghan released."

Another user wrote, "Unbelievably cold formal message following his grandfather's death on Harry/Meghan website "Thank you for your service". The sort of message he might send on the death of a loyal servant. The word "service" is significant, given their grudges aired about their own royal service."

'I'm sure Harry and Meghan paid their respects privately'

Amid the backlash and speculations that Harry and Meghan's actions and words against the Royal Family led to Prince Philip's demise, there is a section of users pouring in their support for the couple as well. 

"Where's the insult? She and Harry already released a statement 8+ hours ago (as of the time that I'm sending this tweet). Why not simply use Google before tweeting out a BLATANT lie about Meghan Markle?" one user cited. 

"I'm sure Harry and Meghan paid their respects privately. The memorial on the Archewell site was meant for the 194 million subscribers to the site. I don't think they would use their platform for grief, wrote another user. Another added, "Prince Phillip was 99 years of age. Harry was not responsible for his death. Again, 99 years of age. Let Harry mourn & honour his Grandad without people making it all about him & Meghan."