The Duke of Sussex quoted his grandmother’s words in her final Christmas speech, in December 2021, when she remembered Prince Philip and said: “Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.”
Harry said in a statement posted on his Archewell website: “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.”
His words come after Harry and Meghan Markle joined Prince William and Kate Middleton to meet well-wishers at Windsor Castle together on Saturday.
It was the first show of unity from the two couples since the days when the Sussexes were working royals and came minutes after Prince William released his own tribute to Elizabeth.
Prince Harry’s reference to honoring his father as King Charles III also represented a show of family unity after a tumultuous few years in which Harry told Oprah Winfrey, in March 2021, how his father cut him off financially after the Sussex royal exit.
In April, the prince dodged a question from NBC News’ Hoda Kotb who had asked about whether he missed William and Charles.
Any left over ill-feeling, however, appears to have at the very least been put on the back burner for now.
William’s tribute to the queen read: “I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.
“She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real.”
The apparent reference to the death of Princess Diana came after Elizabeth died at Balmoral Castle, the same location where Prince Harry and Prince William were holidaying when they learned of their mother’s death in 1997.
In her final Christmas speech, the queen said of Philip: “His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation—were all irrepressible. That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.
“But life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings; and as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas.”
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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 honour 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.
Update 9/12/22, 5:55 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional context.
