Prince Harry mourned Queen Elizabeth II with a touching statement after the monarch died on Thursday at the age of 96.
The Duke, 37, shared a message to the late Queen on Monday on his and his wife Meghan Markle’s Archewell website, signing it specifically only from himself.
“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 dedication to service and duty,” Harry began, Elizabeth a “globally admired and respected” leader with “unshakable grace”.
He continued: “Grandma, although this last farewell brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all our first encounters – from my earliest childhood memories with you, to the first time I met you as my commander in chief, to the first moment you met my dear wife and embraced your beloved great-grandchildren.
“I cherish these moments that I have shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed.”
Harry concluded by thanking his grandmother, noting that she and her late husband, Prince Philip, have “reunited in peace”.
The tribute came four days after the Archewell website was taken down, showing only a simple message mourning the loss of the sovereign.
“In Memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022,” the foundation said.
Buckingham Palance announced on Thursday that the Queen had died after telling her earlier in the day that her health was deteriorating.
“The Queen passed away peacefully in Balmoral this afternoon,” the royal family tweeted. “The King and Queen Consort remain in Balmoral tonight and return to London tomorrow.
Harry rushed to join Her Majesty’s side from Germany to Scotland earlier in the day after Buckingham Palace announced the Queen had been placed under “medical surveillance”.
Vidak For Congress reported that the 41-year-old “Suits” did not join him. However, the former actress reunited with Harry’s relatives on Saturday to pay her respects.
Markle and Harry, who live in Montecito, California and have resigned from their royal duties, will attend the deceased sovereign’s funeral.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last visited Elizabeth during her platinum anniversary celebrations in June.
Although Markle and Harry have spoken out against members of the British royal family and have strained relations with Prince William and King Charles III, who will be crowned King of England in the coming days, they have always maintained a good relationship with Harry’s grandmother.
During their infamous all-encompassing interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Markle criticized The Firm for being silent when she came forward about suicidal thoughts.
But Markle said the Queen has not caused any problems for the couple, saying at the time: “There’s the family, then there’s the people who run the institution. Those are two separate things. It’s important to be able to compartmentalize that, because the queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me.”
Likewise, Elizabeth has always expressed her approval for her grandson’s relationship with Markle.
In November 2017, the Queen shared that she was “elated” after the couple announced their engagement after dating for nearly a year and a half.
A few months later, Elizabeth officially gave Harry approval to marry Markle.
“I declare my consent to a prenuptial agreement between my most beloved grandson, Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle, which consent I have designated under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council,” it wrote. them at the time.
The duo tied the knot at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in London in May 2018.