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'Please don't make my final years a misery': King Charles's plea to sons at Prince Philip's funeral

King Charles looks pensive as he drives out of the gates at Sandringham House in Norfolk this afternoon - Terry Harris/Bav Media
King Charles looks pensive as he drives out of the gates at Sandringham House in Norfolk this afternoon - Terry Harris/Bav Media

King Charles pleaded with his sons “don't make my final years a misery” at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, Prince Harry has claimed according to reports of his book.

The conversation is revealed in the Duke's memoir Spare, which has gone on sale in Spain, where the Telegraph obtained a copy.

Harry recounts private conversations between senior royals in the memoir.

At the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral in April 2021, Harry claims that Charles stood between his sons “looking up at our flushed faces”.

“Please, boys,” the King is said to have told them. “Don’t make my final years a misery.”

The funeral was marked by ongoing tensions between the brothers.

They did not walk shoulder to shoulder in a procession behind their grandfather's coffin from Windsor Castle to St George's Chapel, and were instead separated by their cousin Peter Phillips.

The Duke was also not accompanied by his wife, who was heavily pregnant.

In his book, the Duke also accuses his brother of physically attacking him.

Prince Harry - LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images
Prince Harry - LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

He is said to claim that the Prince of Wales, then the Duke of Cambridge, arrived at his London home in 2019 and called the Duchess of Sussex “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive”.

William is then accused of grabbing the Duke by the collar and knocking him to the floor.

Kensington Palace declined to comment. Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.