The Duke of Sussex remembered his grandmother fondly in the heartwarming note.
Following the death of his beloved “Granny,” Queen Elizabeth, who passed away at the age of 96, Prince Harry on Monday issued a personal statement.
“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,” the Duke of Sussex said in the statement.
The world, Harry continued, was grieving the loss of Queen Elizabeth’s passing and he adored the times he had with her. He also mentioned his father’s new role as King Charles III.
“Thank you for your infectious smile,” he said. “We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”
One of the eight grandchildren of the queen is Harry.
The late British monarch is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren, including Archie, a son of Harry and Meghan, and Lili, a daughter who bears the family nickname “Lilibet” for the late monarch.
Following the passing of the queen, the two children are now officially referred to as “prince” and “princess,” though it is not clear if King Charles will change protocols.
After the two stepped back as working members of the royal family who later moved to the United States, Harry and Meghan have both spoken of their very close relationship with the queen.
Meghan talked about Harry’s love for the queen during the couple’s first interview with BBC’s Mishal Husain after getting engaged. She said it was “incredible” to “be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honor and respect for her, but the love and respect he has for her as his grandmother.”
“All of those layers have been important to me,” Meghan said at the time.
On Saturday, Prince William, the new Prince of Wales and heir apparent, also released a statement in remembrance of his beloved “Grannie.”
While mourning the world’s loss of “an extraordinary leader,” the royal said that “I, however, have lost a grandmother.”
“She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life,” he continued. “I knew this day would come, but it will be sometime before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real.”
Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, unexpectedly reunited with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor following the release of the Prince of Wales’s statement.
