Prince Philip’s blunt warning to Harry after handing over military title he held for six decades – only for the ex-royal to give it up three years later

Prince Philip had some choice words for Prince Harry when handing him the role of Captain General of the Royal Marines, warning him bluntly not to ‘f*** it up’. 

However, just three years later, Harry, 41, had lost the title that his grandfather had held for over six decades entirely as part of his dramatic exit from royal life. 

It was not the only blow dealt to his grandparents, with the Queen and Philip left disappointed by their grandson’s decision to step back from the monarchy. 

The turning point came behind closed doors at the Sandringham summit, a meeting that would reshape the Royal Family forever. 

Author Robert Jobson offered a glimpse into the tense 90-minute showdown in his book The Windsor Legacy. 

The Sandringham summit in January 2020 marked a decisive moment for the Royal Family and set the course for Harry’s future outside the monarchy. 

It was held under tight security and brought together the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Harry, alongside their senior aides. 

At the centre of the talks was Harry and Meghan Markle’s shock decision to step back from royal duties, a move they had announced publicly without the Queen’s approval. 

It was not the only blow dealt to his grandparents, with the Queen and Philip left disappointed by their grandson’s decision to step back from the monarchy to live in America with Meghan Markle

Major General Robert Magowan, The Duke of Edinburgh, Harry and Major General Charles Stickland in 2017 after the appointment of Prince Harry as Captain General Royal Marines

Meghan was in Canada and hoped to join via video call, but technical difficulties kept her out – although she stayed in close contact with Harry as discussions unfolded.

The family wrestled with whether the Sussexes could work out a new arrangement that gave them financial independence while they carried out royal duties and kept their HRH status. 

It was an idea that appealed to Harry, who hoped to divide his time between North America and the UK. 

The Queen was said to feel deep compassion for her grandson and reflected on the difficulties faced by her own sister, Princess Margaret, as the spare. 

However, she was clear that the monarchy could not function with part-time royals when there was a ‘need for unity and dignity’. 

The Queen’s ruling that Harry would have to give up royal life created more tensions within the family. 

The rift between Harry and William grew bigger, and Philip was so angered by the decision he saw as a ‘threat to the family’s cohesion’, he kept his distance. 

The deal not only meant Harry losing his HRH titles but also his patronages and military titles, including being Captain General of the Royal Marines. 

Harry’s leaving he royals created more tensions within the family. Philip was so angered by the decision he saw as a ‘threat to the family’s cohesion’, he kept his distance

The rift between Harry and William grew bigger. The deal not only meant Harry losing his HRH titles but also his patronages and military titles

It was a title he had taken on in 2017 from Prince Philip, who had held the position for 64 years after succeeding his father-in-law, George VI. 

At the handover, Philip delivered a blunt warning to his grandson: ‘Don’t f*** it up.’ 

But Harry only held the role for three years and two months. He is also banned from wearing his ceremonial military uniform.

Philip joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and quickly rose through the ranks. At 21 years old, he was made one of the youngest first lieutenants. His ship, the HMS Wallace, was part of the Allied invasion of Sicily – a pivotal moment in the war.

He held honorary titles in the Army, Navy, and Air Force and was appointed Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Cadet Force and Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps.

He received pilot training with the RAF and continued flying until the late 1990s.

Harry joined the military in 2005 and completed his officer training in April 2006, when he graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy. 

He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the Household Cavalry in 2008 and then retrained as an Apache pilot in the Army Air Corps, returning to Afghanistan in 2012 as a helicopter co-pilot and gunner. 

Harry joined the military in 2005 and completed his officer training in April 2006, when he graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy

Philip joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and quickly rose through the ranks. At 21 years old, he was made one of the youngest first lieutenants

In June 2015, the former royal ended his military career at the rank of captain following a secondment to the Australian military. 

Harry’s move to abandon his military and royal titles was ‘completely alien’ to Philip, who gave up his birth citizenship, his naval career and even his surname to become the Duke of Edinburgh. 

It’s therefore unsurprising that he would expect a similar level of commitment to the family from others – especially his own grandson. 

The late prince was ‘dismayed and deeply upset’ over Harry and Meghan’s split from the Palace, according to royal expert Ingrid Seward.

Speaking with Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl months after the decision, she said Prince Philip ‘quite liked’ Meghan initially, but later compared her to Wallis Simpson, who triggered the abdication crisis when she married the then-King Edward VIII in 1937. 

Meanwhile, she said Philip feels ‘unable to comprehend’ why Harry would want to leave The Firm, revealing: ‘His grandson’s behaviour is completely alien to him, so not unnaturally the relationship has suffered.’

A source also told The Sun that much of Philip’s anger came ‘from seeing Her Majesty upset.’ 

The sentiment was echoed in Philip’s absence from the 2020 Sandringham summit, which Seward claimed was because the duke wanted to wash his hands of the whole affair.

Harry’s move to abandon his military and royal titles was ‘completely alien’ to Philip, who gave up his birth citizenship, his naval career and even his surname to become the Duke of Edinburgh

It’s therefore unsurprising that he would expect a similar level of commitment to the family from others – especially his own grandson

Speaking to Sky News in 2020, Seward said: ‘Of course, it irritates him hugely. And when they had the Sandringham Summit, Prince Philip was seen leaving the house very swiftly before they all arrived.

‘He simply doesn’t want to get involved anymore.’

The year after becoming an ex-royal, Harry further angered his grandparents when he and Meghan made several explosive claims in their interview with Oprah Winfrey – including allegations of racism concerning their firstborn, Prince Archie. 

The Queen was said to be ‘deeply upset’ by what she considers a series of ‘very personal’ criticisms of her family by her grandson. 

One source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Harry’s grandmother has taken this very personally and is deeply upset by what Harry has said, in particular his comments about Charles’ parenting and suggesting his father knows no better because of how he was brought up. It has been a very upsetting time.’