Prince Harry Remembers ‘Granny’ With Tribute & Recalls Her Meeting Meghan Markle & Kids
In a time where there are no words, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spoken up officially after the passing of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.
(UPDATE: 9/12/2022 at 7:30 a.m. ET): Four days after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, her grandson, Prince Harry, took to his and Meghan Markle’s Archewell website to release his first full statement about her passing. “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,” he wrote. “She was globally admired and respected throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy. Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: ‘Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.'”
The statement continued, “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. 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. Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile. We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”
(ORIGINAL STORY): About a year after his grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh passed away, Prince Harry is saying goodbye to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, after she passed away at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022. In an official statement, Harry mourned her passing alongside his wife, Meghan Markle. The couple updated their Archewell website with a memorial of Harry’s Grandma. “In Loving Memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” it said, along with the years of her birth and death.
The long-reigning monarch had celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, 70 years after her February 1952 ascension, in 2022. But at 96, Her Majesty passed away. Three months after the June festivities to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen was facing health issues on September 8. “Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” the palace said. “The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.” However, at 6:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday the 8th, Buckingham Palace released the news that The Queen passed with her family by her side.
“The Queen died peacefully at Belmoral this afternoon,” the statement read. “The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” Royal correspondent Omid Scobie added that “senior members of the Royal Family—including the Prince of Wales—are all gathered at the residence.”
Buckingham Palace confirm that Queen Elizabeth II passed away today, September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96-years-old.
Senior members of the Royal Family—including the Prince of Wales—are all gathered at the residence. pic.twitter.com/77TmZjMoZ7
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth’s passing comes at a time when her relationship with her grandson was still wildly interesting to the world at large. At the start of 2020, Prince Harry announced that he and Meghan would be stepping back from being senior members of the royal family. Dubbed ‘Megxit’, the young couple decided what was right for them was to leave royal life completely and make their own way in America. The decision was met with both scrutiny and encouragement from both sides of the spectrum, but through it all, Harry always spoke fondly of his grandmother and insisted she supported his decisions.
Just after Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Queen was one of the first members of the royal family to show her support. “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” read a statement from the palace after the interview . “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
Our thoughts are with Harry and his two children, Archie and Lilibet, who was named for great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth.