In a last-minute arrangement, Prince Harry was granted permission to visit the late Queen’s grave on the anniversary of her death.
The Duke of Sussex found himself in the UK on Friday, coinciding with the first anniversary of his grandmother’s passing, after attending a charity event the previous evening.
On that poignant morning, he was seen leaving St George’s Chapel in Windsor, the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II alongside the late Prince Philip.
A candid image captured by a member of the public showed Prince Harry appearing emotional as he exited the chapel, a moment that quickly circulated on social media.
Following this, he embarked on a journey to Dusseldorf, where the Invictus Games, a cause close to his heart, commenced on Saturday evening.
According to reports from The Telegraph, Prince Harry had expressed his desire to pay his respects at his grandmother’s gravesite upon realizing that he would be in the UK on the anniversary of her passing.
Initially, he harbored little hope of securing permission for this visit. However, the publication has revealed that Buckingham Palace extended the invitation at the eleventh hour, with one stipulation: the visit must remain private.
Prince Harry observed the solemn anniversary far from his estranged father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William.
On this day, Charles attended prayers at Crathie Kirk, coinciding with his Accession Day, while Prince William and his wife, Kate, attended a special service at St David’s Cathedral in Wales.
The relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry has been strained for some time, despite their close bond in their earlier years.
The rift reportedly began prior to Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle, with Harry accusing William of being dismissive of his bride.
The situation escalated when Harry publicly levied accusations against his brother in both his memoir, “Spare,” and a Netflix documentary.
In his autobiography, released shortly after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, Harry alleged that William had physically assaulted him, even pushing him into a dog bowl during an argument concerning Meghan.
In a subsequent Netflix series, Harry and Meghan claimed that Kensington Palace had lied to shield William when it released a statement denying allegations that he had bullied Harry, effectively forcing him out of the royal family.
Harry also recounted a tense meeting at Windsor, just after the funeral of Prince Philip, during which Charles implored his two sons: “Please, boys, don’t make my final years a misery.”
As the Invictus Games unfold, Prince Harry has been seen mingling with the crowds while eagerly awaiting the arrival of his wife, Meghan Markle.
The Duke of Sussex has been in attendance at the Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, flying in on Friday following his brief visit to the UK.
On Saturday, Prince Harry played a pivotal role in opening the 2023 Invictus Games with a heartfelt speech, receiving a standing ovation from those in attendance.
In anticipation of Meghan’s imminent arrival, Prince Harry seized the opportunity to immerse himself in the track and field events. He displayed his enthusiasm by clapping and cheering for the participants.
Additionally, he engaged in conversations with notable figures, including Kenya senator Gloria Orwoba and Ukraine’s Minister of Veteran Affairs, Yulia Laputina.
Prince Harry’s visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s gravesite, amidst ongoing family tensions, underscores his commitment to honoring the memory of his grandmother while pursuing his advocacy for veterans through the Invictus Games.
