Prince Philip sided with Princess Diana over Charles amid marriage issues

As the royal family plans for the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral on Saturday, the unique bond between Prince Philip and Princess Diana is acknowledged.

Prince Harry and Prince William are expected to walk behind Philip's coffin during the ceremony inside Windsor Castle this weekend, twenty-four years since Philip offered his grandsons courage by supporting them when they marched behind Diana's coffin at her 1997 funeral.

During a 2007 inquest into Diana's death in a car accident in Paris, a snapshot into the relationship between the brothers' mother and grandfather was offered. The proceedings exposed letters written by Philip, who died on April 9 at the age of 99, to his daughter-in-law as her marriage to his son Prince Charles was in jeopardy.

According to The Associated Press, Diana addresses Philip as “Dearest Pa” in 1992 letters, and the duke offers to assist her in resolving her marital issues.

Prince Philip sided with Diana when relations between her and Prince Charles “got messy.”

“Charles was silly to risk everything with Camilla for a man in his position,” he wrote in the 1992 letters.

“I cannot imagine anyone in their right minds leaving you for Camilla. Such a prospect never even entered our heads .”

“with fondest love, Pa,” was written at the end of the message.

According to The Sunday Times, Charles attempted to prevent these letters from reaching the media, implying that they were genuine.

The duke allegedly wrote, “If invited, I will always do my utmost to help you and Charles to the best of my ability, but I am quite ready to concede that I have no talents as a marriage counselor!!!”

“I was particularly touched by your most recent letter, which proved to me, if I didn't already know it, that you really do care,” Diana replied. “You are very modest about your marriage guidance skills, and I disagree with you.”

Philip showed concern and support for his daughter-in-law in these documents, and promised to serve as a mediator between her and Charles.

Diana and Philip had the distinction of being outsiders in the British royal family.

Philip was born to Greek nobility before his family was banished from the region, and he married Queen Elizabeth II in 1947. Diana, who grew up in an aristocratic household, married into the royal family as well.

Philip's grandsons have reunited for his burial, marking Harry's first trip back to the UK with his relatives since his explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey last month. The formal proceedings within Windsor Castle are likely to include William and Harry, which will be somewhat different from their mother's massive public funeral in 1997. Thanks to the pandemic, the royal funeral on Saturday will be much more discreet than normal.