Two days after Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle joined Prince William and Kate Middleton in a walkabout at Windsor Castle to view memorials for Queen Elizabeth, Harry released a statement memorializing his grandmother on the Archewell website. His message came after King Charles and William had both released statements about the late queen, implying that the family is releasing their remembrances in order of precedence in the line of succession.
In his message, Harry highlighted the queen’s commitment to serving the United Kingdom. “In celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen—and in mourning her loss—we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty,” it read. “She was globally admired and respected. Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy.”
His statement also included a personal remembrance that highlighted adoration of Meghan and the fact that the late monarch was able to meet and hug their children Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. “Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings—from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren. I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between,” he said. “You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honor my father in his new role as King Charles III.”
He mentioned the queen’s well-known sense of humor and her close relationship with Prince Philip, who died in April 2021. “Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile,” it read. “We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”
Harry and Meghan were in the U.K. without their children to attend charity events when the news broke that the queen’s medical condition was in decline last Thursday. Harry left Frogmore Cottage, the couple’s home on Windsor estate, to be by his grandmother’s side in Balmoral but did not arrive until after the queen’s death was announced. The couple is planning to stay in the U.K. to attend the queen’s funeral on September 19.
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