Richard Wilkins pays tribute to the late Prince Philip on Weekend Today

‘He had a wicked sense of humour and didn’t suffer fools easily’: Richard Wilkins pays tribute to the late Prince Philip on Weekend Today

Richard Wilkins has paid tribute to Prince Philip on Weekend Today.

In a segment on the Channel Nine breakfast show on Saturday, the 56-year-old shared some kind words about the late Duke of Edinburgh who passed away on Friday in Windsor at the age of 99. 

‘He had a wicked sense of humour and didn’t suffer fools easily,’ Richard said to fellow host Rebecca Maddern, who were both dressed in black to pay their respects on air. 

‘He had a wicked sense of humour and didn’t suffer fools easily’: On Saturday, Richard Wilkins paid tribute to the late Prince Philip on Weekend Today

In the segment, Richard and Rebecca were joined by Royal commentator Camilla Tominey, who shared her own experience having spent decades following the Royal family.

‘There was a sense really that he was the queen’s warm up act, he used to put people at ease who were waiting to meet his wife like rabbits in headlights,’ Camilla said.

‘I remember being in Malta where he turned to a well wisher who was about to meet the Queen who had a beard and he said, “shouldn’t you have shaved before meeting Her Majesty?” 

She added that both Prince Philip and the man burst out laughing. 

Paying their respects: Richard and co-host Rebecca Maddern were both dressed in black to pay their respects on air and were joined at one point by Royal commentator Camilla Tominey

Paying their respects: Richard and co-host Rebecca Maddern were both dressed in black to pay their respects on air and were joined at one point by Royal commentator Camilla Tominey

'There was a sense really that he was the queen's warm up act, he used to put people at ease who were waiting to meet his wife like rabbits in headlights,' Camilla said

‘There was a sense really that he was the queen’s warm up act, he used to put people at ease who were waiting to meet his wife like rabbits in headlights,’ Camilla said

She added that over the years there were a lot of moments where Prince Philip broke the silence in a room with his gaffes.   

‘As a journalist you had to follow Prince Philip around if he deviated off somewhere to speak to well wishers because you knew he would come out with something ingenious,’ she said. 

At the weekend, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also paid tribute to Prince Philip on the morning after his death with a moving speech praising his life of service. 

Praise: At the weekend, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also paid tribute to Prince Philip on the morning after his death with a moving speech praising his life of service

Praise: At the weekend, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also paid tribute to Prince Philip on the morning after his death with a moving speech praising his life of service

So sad: The Queen on Friday announced with 'deep sorrow' the death of her husband Prince Philip - who spent his final days at Windsor Castle after a 28-night stay in hospital

So sad: The Queen on Friday announced with ‘deep sorrow’ the death of her husband Prince Philip – who spent his final days at Windsor Castle after a 28-night stay in hospital

The Prime Minister singled out the Duke of Edinburgh’s comfort to survivors of a bushfire in Tasmania in 1967 in his speech from Kiribilli House this morning.

‘As the Governor-General reminded us last night, he visited our country on more than 20 occasions,’ he said.

‘But there were also moments of deep compassion, in particular, in the terrible bushfires of 1967 in Tasmania, where he comforted the victims and he toured the burnt out Cascade Brewery.’ 

The Queen on Friday announced with ‘deep sorrow’ the death of her husband at age 99  – who spent his final days at Windsor Castle after a 28-night stay in hospital for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition.

Her Majesty announced Prince Philip’s death at 9pm on Friday (AEST) as the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK and Commonwealth – including Australia.     

A life of service: The Queen and Prince Philip attend an event at the Sydney Opera House in 2006

A life of service: The Queen and Prince Philip attend an event at the Sydney Opera House in 2006