Prince Philip’s health is repeatedly mocked in HBO cartoon The Prince – just months after his tragic death.
Queen Elizabeth’s husband is drawn in a crude white colour palette, with a sparse few hairs on his head and a humped back, with missing teeth.
In the first episode of the new HBO show, which comes from the brains behind hit animation Family Guy, Prince Philip can be seen eating a plate of puréed food while those around him tuck into a full banquet.
It isn’t far into the episode that he begins making an odd noise, as Prince George – voiced by show creator Gary Janetti – tells a butler: “Get the defibrillator paddles ready.”
The Queen (Frances de la Tour), meanwhile, encourages him to calm by saying: “Settle, settle.”
(Image: HBO)
After a moment of silence, George tells the butler: “No, no, we’re good.”
As the approximation of Philip once again makes the odd sound, Prince William (Iwan Rheon) remarks: “He looks good. Fit”, as wife Kate Middleton (Lucy Punch) rolls her eyes and says: “Oh, shut up.”
George puts in: “Yeah, you look amazing today Ganpa. This is a sexy family, you know for British people.”
In another scene, the prince can be seen drooling before he collapses on the floor.
(Image: HBO)
And in the second episode of the series, Philip’s jaw can be seen hanging open, as the Queen says: “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.”
The scenes appear to be in even more bad taste after the tragic death of the Prince in April this year, aged 99.
The royal’s death was commemorated by an emotional funeral procession which saw grandsons Harry and William brought together once more after Harry left the country to settle in Los Angeles with wife Meghan Markle.
(Image: HBO)
And Prince Philip, of course, leaves an impressive legacy behind him – including the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, which encourage teamwork and survival skills for young people.
The HBO series’ release date was initially delayed after Philip’s death – on April 4, show creator Gary announced the programme would be “coming soon” to HBO Max.
But just five days later, the world was stunned by the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, and a statement was released by HBO which read: “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.”
Fans have taken to social media to share their ‘disgust’ at the series, with one writing on Twitter: “Shameful @HBO!! This is BULLYING a real 8 yr old CHILD!! Spiteful satire of a child! Also a dying grandfather Prince Philip DISGUSTING!”
Someone else said: “They also mocked Prince Philip. It was only in April when The Queen had to sit alone at his funeral. @HBO IS DISGUSTING.”
And a third chimed: “I’m no Royal Family fan or anything, but seeing as Prince Philip has passed away, the way he’s portrayed on The Prince on HBO is a little upsetting.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
