Prince Harry's olive branch to the Royal Family provoked a sceptical reaction, royal sources have claimed.
Earlier this week, GB News was the first to report that the Duke of Sussex's friend had "secretly" placed a personal letter from Harry paying special tribute to his late grandfather, Prince Philip, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
However, it is understood that the olive branch provoked a sceptical reaction from those who knew the late Duke of Edinburgh.
"What hypocrisy," one friend of the Royal Family told the Mail. "Harry hurt his grandfather deeply during the final year of his life."
Royal insiders slam Prince Harry's 'hypocrisy' after Duke of Sussex's olive branch
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Prince Philip died four weeks after the Oprah Winfrey interview with the Sussexes was broadcast.
However, his relationship with his nephew was known to be a close one.
Writing on his Archewell website after Philip's death, Prince Harry said: “He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm – and also because you never knew what he might say next.
“He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the Monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince, and a Duke.
The Duke of Sussex was understood to be close to his late grandfather before he died, and previously described him as "a man of service, honour and great humour"
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"But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ‘til the end.”
The insider who spoke to the Mail added that working members of the Royal Family, such as Prince William and Princess Kate, did not leave wreaths at the VJ ceremony.
This was because the Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly wanted the commemorations to be led by and for the focus to be on the King and Queen.
The source further claimed that the Palace viewed the Duke of Sussex's olive branch as "hijacking" the national service of remembrance.
Prince Harry's tribute to his late grandfather formed part of a lengthy statement, thanking the men and women for their sacrifice for the freedom of future generations
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The Duke of Sussex asked a friend to discreetly place the letter and a wreath at the Burma Star Memorial in Staffordshire
|GB NEWS
In the Duke of Sussex's letter, delivered after King Charles and Queen Camilla had departed, Prince Harry wrote: "For me, this anniversary carries an added layer of meaning.
"My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Pacific campaign.
"He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theatre of war.
"Today, as I think of him, I think also of each of you, of the shared hardships, the bonds forged and the legacy you leave."