Prince Philip never got to meet two great-grandchildren who were named after him

Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall named their newborn sons after the late Duke of Edinburgh – but he will now never get to meet them.

Lockdown restrictions meant Prince Philip couldn’t meet his youngest great grandchildren but their names served as a tribute to him before his death on Friday morning.

Princess Eugenie gave birth to August Philip Hawke Brooksbank on February 9, with her and husband Jack Brooksbank honouring the duke who had been admitted to hospital that same week.

Eugenie’s Olympian royal cousin, Zara Tindall, also chose to pass on the name Philip to her third son, born at their home of Gatcombe Park a month later.

Zara and her retired England rugby star husband, Mike, agreed Philip would be a fitting middle name for Lucas Philip Tindall.

Zara and Mike also have two other children – Mia Grace, aged seven and two-year-old Lena Elizabeth.

Eugenie wrote on Instagram: “On his grandfather’s birthday weekend, thinking of my grandfather, we are introducing our little boy.

“He is named after his great grandfathers and both of his great x5 grandfathers.”

Princess Eugenie said during the 2016 ITV documentary, Our Queen at Ninety: “I think Grandpa is incredible. He really is strong and consistent.

“He’s been there for all these years, and I think he’s the rock, you know, for all of us.”

In total the Queen and Philip have ten great-grandchildren with another on the way with Meghan Markle pregnant and due to give birth this summer to her and Prince Harry’s second child.

Philip, who enjoyed a close relationship with Eugenie and Zara, passed away aged 99 just two months before his 100th birthday.

Buckingham Palace released a statement that read: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced 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.

“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.

“Further announcements will be made in due course.”