'shameful!'
Prince Philip’s failing health cruelly mocked in preview of HBO’s The Prince just months after his death
PRINCE Philip's ill health has been cruelly mocked on new HBO Max satire series The Prince.
Brits and royal fans alike have been left outraged by the new adult cartoon, which sees Downton Abbey star Dan Steven take the late Duke's role as well as that of Prince Charles.
4
4
Scenes for the US comedy show Prince Philip, who sadly passed away aged 99 in April, in a grey suit with an equally sallow complexion.
He has gaunt eyes and a sprig of wiry hair on the top of his head as he perches at a table in front of a dinner of pureed food.
Another scene sees him drooling on the floor, with his jaw hanging open.
The Queen then comments: “Leave it open. It's easier to put stuff in that way.”
A hamburger is placed into Philip's open mouth, as she says: “See? Happy as a clam.”
Get the defibrillator paddles ready
The Prince
The Duke Of Edinburgh's health battles were also mocked in the opening episode of The Prince.
Prince George, who is voiced by show creator and Family Guy founder Gary Janetti, is seen calling to a butler: “Get the defibrillator paddles ready.”
The Queen, sitting alongside her husband, then tells him to: “Settle, settle.”
🔵 Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest updates
After a variety of strange sounds emerge from Philip, his cartoon grandson Prince William states: "He looks good. Fit."
Fans were quick to slam the scenes.
One tweeted: "I'm no royal family fan or anything, but seeing as Prince Philip has passed away the way he’s portrayed on #ThePrince on HBO is a little upsetting."
Another added: "Shameful @HBO!! This is BULLYING a real 8 yr old CHILD!! Spiteful satire of a child! Also a dying grandfather Prince Philip DISGUSTING!”
A third wrote: “They also mocked Prince Philip. It was only in April when The Queen had to sit alone at his funeral. @HBO IS DISGUSTING.”
A fourth raged: "'Parody of adults is one thing, of children, no matter how protected, it feels uncomfortable and potentially damaging to them."
While one viewer said: "I imagine Prince William and Kate will be upset and angry… the trailer looks dreadful. Yes children are off limits it is cruel."
However, not all comments were negative as one viewer wrote: "I thought parts of #ThePrince was funny. The material about Philip was likely made b4 he passed so I'll look past it to the rest.
"There's no way to satirize the Royals and not make some1 mad. Anyway it's not the 1400s; no one will lose their head."
Prince Harry has also been savagely mocked in the adult cartoon.
Meghan Markle and sister-in-law Kate Middleton's alleged feud has also been depicted.
QUEEN'S SADNESS
In April, The Queen expressed her "deep sorrow" after her "beloved" husband the Duke of Edinburgh passed away "peacefully" at Windsor Castle.
The tragic news was a huge blow to the Queen, with the Duke widely known to be the backbone of the Royal Family.
Tributes poured in from around the world for the hardest-working member of the Royal Family after seven decades of Royal service.
Most read in Drama
SERIES DELAY
The Prince's release date was originally delayed after Prince Philip's passing.
At the time, creator Gary said: “We were saddened to learn of Prince Philip’s passing and will adjust plans for the series debut.
"A new date will be announced at a later time.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The 12-episode series was then available to stream from July 29 on HBO Max in the US after being delayed from May following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
A UK channel and air date has not yet been announced.
4
4
Nadia Sawalha slams controversial Prince George cartoon as she admits she'd be 'furious' if it were about her child
Topics