Prince Harry Absent from Emotional Memorial Service for Prince Philip

The absence of Prince Harry was the topic of endless discussion among guests at Prince Philip's emotional memorial service, according to Richard Griffin, the late Duke's former Protection Officer.

The Queen, despite recent health issues, along with the rest of the royal family gathered at Westminster Abbey for the poignant event.

Prince Harry, who lives in the US with his wife Meghan Markle and their children, decided not to return to the UK to pay his respects.

This decision left many disappointed as Prince Philip was their grandfather.

Speaking to Sky News, Richard said, “Just about his decision not to attend, he said, that was a big disappointment for everybody.”

Prince Harry refused to travel over a row about his security.

He has said he's unable to return to the UK due to safety concerns, which have become the subject of his latest legal battle, this time against the Home Office.

However, Richard dismissed this as a “pathetic excuse.”

He said, “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 also said that members of the 1,800-strong congregation were discussing Harry's absence before the service began.

He said, “Certainly around where I was, they thought he should have been here.”

The memorial service paid tribute to Prince Philip's charity work and decades of service to the Queen and the Royal family.

The Dean of Westminster delivered a moving speech about the Duke.

The Queen shed a tear for her beloved husband at today's extraordinary service in remembrance of his remarkable life.

Royal expert Angela Levin tweeted, “Heartwarming to see the great-grandchildren at Prince Philip's Thanksgiving service.

Plenty of Royals and hundreds of those connected to his charities.

No one will forget or forgive he who didn't feel safe.”

Richard said today's service captured the Duke perfectly.

Speaking about today's event, he said, “To see the Queen come in and sit with her family, that was wonderful.

It was very emotional.

I worked with Prince Philip for 14 years and travelled the world with him.

I did a lot of things with him and deeply missed him when he died.

Prince Philip had a big footprint on the service.

You could see it right the way through.

It was fantastic to be able to come today and pay our respects.

It was a wonderful, wonderful service.

He was the most caring man you could possibly meet.”

Harry last returned to the UK eight months ago to unveil the statue of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in London on July 1 with his brother Prince William.

However, he does plan to fly to The Hague in the Netherlands in two weeks' time to attend the Invictus Games for injured military service that he set up.

On March 11, a spokesman for the Duke confirmed that he would not return to the UK for the service but added that he hopes to visit his grandmother soon.

Royal author Phil Dampier told the Daily Mail, “It's very sad that Harry and Meghan won't be at Prince Philip's memorial service and I think, one day, Harry might regret it.”

Mr Dampier said that Harry loved Philip's sense of humour and praised him in interviews, adding that this makes his non-attendance all the more mystifying and strange.

He continued, “You get the impression he is still very hurt by what has happened between him and his father and brother and I'm sure they feel the same.

But to miss a memorial for his beloved grandfather is tragic.”

Harry did fly over for his funeral and for the unveiling of Diana's statue, but hasn't been back since.

He will be at the Invictus Games in The Hague, but there must now be great doubts about whether he will attend any of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

I'm sure the Queen is very upset he's not coming, but she realizes she can't make Harry alter his mindset at the moment.

In conclusion, the absence of Prince Harry from Prince Philip's emotional memorial service has left many disappointed.

Despite safety concerns, many believe that he should have attended the service to pay his respects to his beloved grandfather.

The memorial service paid tribute to Prince Philip's charity work and decades of service to the Queen and the Royal family.

The Queen shed a tear for her beloved husband at today's extraordinary service in remembrance of his remarkable life.