Prince Philip's government blast

2 months ago 22nd Sep 14:00

Britain's Prince Philip reportedly unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade at the government's plans for Princess Diana's funeral.

It has been claimed the Duke of Edinburgh - Queen Elizabeth's husband - lost his cool and told former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's spin doctors to "f**k off" after they became increasingly involved in Diana's funeral arrangements in 1997.

Philip is said to have been incensed when the government attempted to dictate the roles Prince William and Harry would have in their mother's burial service.

Sky News Political Editor Adam Boulton revealed in his new memoirs 'Tony's Ten Years: Memoirs of the Blair Administration': "Blair had been helpful reading the public mood when Diana had died but he was also presumptuous.

Once the arrangements had been sorted out Blair read very melodramatically that day in Westmister Abbey.

"The events of that week in September 1997 were very sad, but as spinners from Downing Street came to Buckingham Palace and started to kick around what roles Harry and William should play in the funeral, the queen had relished the moment when Philip had bellowed over the speakerphone from Balmoral, 'F**k off. We are talking about two boys who have lost their mother.'

"Once the arrangements had been sorted out Blair read very melodramatically that day in Westmister Abbey."

Diana, her lover Dodi Fayed and their driver Henri Paul died when their car crashed in a French tunnel on August 31, 1997.