Harry also described her as a “guiding compass” through her commitment to service and duty. In a statement released on Monday, which is understood to have been kept a day out of respect for the 9/11 anniversary, the duke also said he wanted to honor his father at the start of his reign as king. Harry said: “Celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen – and mourning her loss – we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was for so many in her commitment to service and duty. He was universally admired and respected. Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her eternal legacy. “Let us repeat the words she spoke after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, words that can bring comfort to us all now: ‘Life, of course, consists of last partings as well as first meetings.’ “Grandma, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first encounters – 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 beloved wife and you hugged your beloved great-grandchildren. “I love these moments I get to share with you, and the many other special moments in between. We are already greatly missed, not only by ourselves, but by the whole world. “And as for first meetings, we are now honoring my father in his new role as King Charles III. Thank you for your commitment to service. Thanks for your good advice. “Thank you for your infectious smile. And we, too, smile knowing that you and Grandpa are reunited now, both together in peace.’ The statement came two days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the new Prince and Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle on Saturday. It is understood the prince invited his brother to meet them as well-wishers outside the castle and a royal source said William believed it was a “significant show of unity”. It’s been two years since William, Kate, Harry and Meghan were seen together side-by-side in public during Commonwealth Day 2020, and they appeared cozy with William at the wheel of a Range Rover after hike, which took just over 40 minutes.
