Susanna Reid admits Prince Philip once scoffed at her

Susanna Reid has admits the late Prince Philip once scoffed at her because she didn’t complete her Duke Of Edinburgh Award. 

The Duke passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday aged 99, and Susanna admitted she was struck by his notoriously forthright approach during their one and only meeting. 

Recalling the incident on Monday’s edition of Good Morning Britain, the presenter, 50, revealed they met after she attended an event on behalf of the Duke Of Edinburgh awards, of which Prince Philip was patron. 

Awkward: Susanna Reid has admits the late Prince Philip once scoffed at her because she didn’t complete her Duke Of Edinburgh Award

She said: ‘I met him once, and he was just incredibly direct. That was the thing. He notoriously did not like small talk and yet to do how many solo engagements? 22,000, 5,000 speeches. He was involved with 800 charities. 

‘He just did so much, and so obviously he had to small talk with millions of people. It was at a Duke of Edinburgh gold award ceremony, and he said to me in the line-up, “Well, did you do one of these?” 

‘And I said, “I did, but I failed to finish.” And he said, “Ugh, what on earth was wrong with you?” And then moved on to the next person.

Farewell: The Duke of Edinburgh passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday aged 99

‘The whole point of the Duke of Edinburgh is that you really try and you put everything into it. What on earth was wrong with me that I couldn’t finish!’

She added: ‘The thing is, though, he said it in that sort of withering way, but at the same time, you knew it was made with a mischievous glint in his eye. It made you question your whole life!’

Prince Philip founded the youth oriented awards scheme in 1956, with participants rewarded for completing a series of challenges and self-improvement exercises modeled on German educator Kurt Hahn’s Six Declines of Modern Youth. 

Looking back: Recalling the incident on Good Morning Britain, the presenter revealed they met after she attended an event on behalf of the Duke Of Edinburgh awards

Looking back: Recalling the incident on Good Morning Britain, the presenter revealed they met after she attended an event on behalf of the Duke Of Edinburgh awards

Susanna cut short her Good Morning Britain holiday to return to the studio as the show paid tribute to Prince Philip.

The presenter was back on the programme presenting alongside Kate Garraway, and she admitted it was an “honour” to be able to celebrate the life of the Duke of Edinburgh.

She said: ‘Today of course, remembering, honouring and celebrating the life of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. And it’s an honour to be here early this morning to be able to do that beside you Kate.’  

Last month, it was reported Susanna would have “more editorial say” on ‘Good Morning Britain’ as bosses look to build the show around her following Piers Morgan’s exit.

A source said: ‘Piers’ sudden departure has, of course, put a rocket up everyone. But what ITV needs now, more than ever, are calm heads and someone to steady the ship.

‘Susanna has proven herself a consummate broadcaster for the past ten years – and clearly has the star factor.

‘She is smart, feisty and opinionated. She may have been Piers’ foil for the past five years, but she’s so much more than this – and now it’s very much a case of The Susanna Show.

‘ITV have offered her their full backing, and she will have even more editorial say going forwards.’  

Beloved: Her Majesty announced her husband's death at midday on Friday as the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK and Commonwealth

Beloved: Her Majesty announced her husband’s death at midday on Friday as the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK and Commonwealth

The Duke of Edinburgh spent his final days at Windsor Castle with The Queen, who he lovingly called Lilibet throughout their long life together, after a 28-night stay in hospital having been admitted in mid-February for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition.

Her Majesty announced her husband’s death at midday on Friday as the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK and Commonwealth, while members of the public hugged and wiped away tears as they laid flowers in his memory – and messages of love and support for the Queen and her family.

The Royal Family said in a statement: ‘It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

‘His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss’.

Her Majesty, who remains at Windsor Castle, is now expected to enter an eight-day period of mourning. She will not carry out any duties, even in private, while laws will not be given the Royal Assent and affairs of state will also be paused. 

Prince Philip’s funeral will take place on April 17th at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. 

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