Relations between the Sussexes and the royal family have been tense in recent years, so it’s touching to see William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan all together again.
After William and Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, died, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle joined Prince William and Kate Middleton for a walk around Windsor Castle on Saturday. It was a surprise. Dressed in black, the four were seen greeting people and looking with emotion at the flowers and other memorial items left for the late monarch, who died Thursday at age 96.
Kensington Palace says that William, who is 40 years old, invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to join him and Kate, who is also 40 years old and was recently named Princess of Wales along with her husband. Another source says that neither couple was expected by security at the walkabout. A royal source tells the media that Prince William thought the walkabout to greet the crowds was an important way for the family to show unity during a very hard time.
A palace insider told the media, “It’s such an important moment in history and a very personal one for the family that you’d hope and think that all family members would come together and support the King in particular.” And maybe some of those wounds will get better as a result. “
It was William’s second time out on Saturday. Earlier that day, he was at St. James’s Palace in London when his father, King Charles III, was officially named king.
The reunion between William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan is sad because the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had tense relationships with other members of the royal family in recent years, including a long-term split between William and Kate. Before the Queen died, Harry, 37, and Meghan, 41, who lives in the U.S., were already in the U.K. for charity events.
The last time they were there was in June to help celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, but they didn’t meet William, Kate, or any of Harry’s other immediate family members in public. They did, however, show Charles his one-year-old granddaughter Lilibet for the first time, which gave him the chance to meet his three-year-old grandson Archie. “It was a wonderful trip. A royal source said that the prince was happy to see his grandson and meet his granddaughter for the first time. They also said that it was “great” to have Harry and Meghan back in Britain.
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In a historic first speech since becoming king, King Charles, 73, spoke about his “deep sorrow” and paid an emotional tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth. The new King also said that he and his family are “personally saddened” by the death of Queen Elizabeth, who was also the mother and grandmother of his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Charles continued his first speech to the kingdom by saying, “This is a time of change for my family.” This was the first time he called William and Kate Prince and Princess of Wales. King Charles also recognized the Duke of Sussex, his younger son, who is now fifth in line to the throne. Archie and Lilibet, the children Harry had with Meghan, are now sixth and seventh in line. “I also want to let Harry and Meghan know how much I love them as they continue to build their lives abroad,” the King said.
In an official statement released on Saturday, William said, “On Thursday, the world lost a great leader whose loyalty to the country, the Realms, and the Commonwealth was unwavering.” In the coming days, a lot will be said about what her historic reign meant.”
“I, on the other hand, have lost a grandmother,” he said, thinking about how important the Queen was to his family. “I’ll be sad about her death, but I’m also very thankful. Even though I’m in my 50s, I’ve been able to use The Queen’s advice and comfort. My wife has been guided and helped by her for twenty years. My three kids have to spend their vacations with her so they can make memories that will last a lifetime.”
“When I was happy, she was there with me. She was there for me when things were the worst in my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be a while before life without Grannie feels real to me,” William said.
He then thanked the late Queen for being kind to him and his family. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for setting an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different time but is always relevant to us all.
William said, “In the end, my grandmother used to say that pain is the price we pay for love, and that’s a famous quote.” All of the sadness we will feel over the next few weeks will show how much we loved our amazing Queen. To honor her memory, I will do everything I can to help my father, the King.
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