Queen Elizabeth II dies: Prince Harry releases first statement since grandmother’s death

LONDON — Britain’s Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has released his first statement since the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

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According to The Associated Press, the 37-year-old royal called the queen, who died Thursday at her Balmoral estate in Scotland, a “guiding compass” who was committed to “service and duty.”

“She was globally admired and respected,” he wrote in the statement shared Monday on the website for Archewell, the organization he founded with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. “Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy. Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: ‘Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.’”

The statement continued: “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.”

Harry, now fifth in line to the throne, went on to acknowledge his father, saying, “And as it comes to first meetings, we now honor my father in his new role as King Charles III.”

The message ended on a personal note.

“Thank you for your commitment to service,” he wrote. “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.”

>> Read the complete statement here

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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William, Kate, Harry, Meghan meet Windsor mourners WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on the long Walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. Crowds have gathered and tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September, 2022. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

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Photos: Queen Elizabeth II's coffin leaves Balmoral, arrives in Edinburgh Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Britain's Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, watch as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland, completes its journey from Balmoral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on September 11, 2022, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. (Aaron Chown/WPA Pool/Getty Images)