Prince Harryis reflecting on “first meetings” withQueen Elizabeth, including when she met his two children, son Archie Harrison and daughterLilibet Diana.
In a personal statementreleased on Mondayfollowing the Queen’s death, the Duke of Sussex honored the monarch and referenced moments with his late grandmother that he said he’ll “cherish” — including the first time she met his wife,Meghan Markle, and hugged their young children, 3-year-old Archie and 1-year-old Lilibet.
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Prince Harry, Prince William and Queen Elizabeth.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
The meeting betweenQueen Elizabethand Lilibet, who was named after her great-grandmother’s childhood nickname, likely occurred in June, whenPrince Harryand Meghan traveled from California to the U.K. with their children to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
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Previously,a source sharedthat Lili, as her parents call her, and the Queen met virtually on a video call in shortly after her birth on June 4, 2021.
It was previously confirmed that King Charles, then Prince of Wales,met his granddaughter for the first timeduring the June visit.
“It was a fantastic visit. The prince was delighted to see his grandson and meet his granddaughter for the first time,” a royal source said, adding that it was “wonderful” to have Harry and Meghan back in Britain.
“It was very special to have some time with him. He hadn’t met Lilibet, his granddaughter, and so to meet her for the first time was very emotional — it was a wonderful thing,” the source added.
Lili was born in California afterPrince Harryand Meghan relocated to Meghan’s home state following their decision to step back as senior members of the royal family in 2020.
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Tim Graham/Getty
As for the rest of Harry’s statement released this week following the Thursday death of his grandmother, he took note of the Queen’s “unwavering grace and dignity,” asking others to practice the same traits. He repeated the phrase she spoke in her Christmas broadcast following the passing of husbandPrince Philipin April of 2021: “Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.”
“Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile,” he said. “We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”
source: people.com
