“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 embraced your beloved great-grandchildren,” the Duke of Sussex said in the statement. Harry added that he cherished the times he spent with Queen Elizabeth and said her loss was felt around the world, also noting his father’s new role as King Charles III. “Thank you for your infectious smile,” she said. “And we, too, smile knowing that you and Grandpa are reunited now, both together in peace.” Harry is one of the Queen’s eight grandchildren. The late British monarch is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren, including Harry and Meghan’s son Archie and daughter Lily, named after the Queen’s family nickname ‘Lilibet’. The two children are now technically ‘prince’ and ‘princess’ following the Queen’s death, although it is unclear whether King Charles will change protocol. Queen Elizabeth II speaks with Prince Harry as they leave after the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor to Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 18, 2019. WPA Pool via Getty Images Harry and Meghan both spoke about their very close relationship with the Queen, which continued after the two stepped down as working members of the royal family and moved to North America. Meghan spoke about Harry’s love for the Queen during the couple’s first interview with the BBC’s Mishal Hussain since their engagement. He said it was “incredible” to “get to know her through his lens, not only with his honor and respect for her, but the love and respect he has for her as his grandmother.” “All those levels were important to me,” Megan said at the time. On Saturday, Prince William, the new Prince of Wales and Crown Prince, also released a statement in memory of his beloved ‘Granny’. As the world mourned the loss of an “excellent leader”, the king said “I, however, have lost a grandmother”. “He was by my side in my happiest moments. And he was by my side during the saddest days of my life,” he continued. “I knew this day would come, but it will be a while before the reality of life without Grandma really feels real.” After the Prince of Wales’ statement was released, William and Kate, Princess of Wales, had a surprise reunion with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor. The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at Windsor Castle to view flowers and tributes to Queen Elizabeth on September 10, in Windsor, England. Chris Jackson via Getty Images The former “Fab Four”, who were all dressed in black, interacted with members of the public who had gathered to pay their respects. The royals also saw flower arrangements left by well-wishers. During the walk, the Princess of Wales became emotional, sharing a story about her youngest son Prince Louis, who said “At least Gun-Gan is with great-grandfather now.”
