The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle, waved goodbye to the UK as they returned to their home in California. While they made an appearance at Queen Elizabeth‘s funeral on September 19th, the royal couple first arrived in the UK two weeks earlier to attend a program.
After a while away from British soil, Markle and Harry visited Manchester in the first week of September. They flew in to attend the One Young World Summit, which was held on September 5th. After the Queen’s death on October 8th, Markle and Harry stayed longer to attend the burial and his father’s ascension, King Charles III.
Before the late Queen, there were rumors that Harry and Meghan had strained their relationship with several royal family members. The King helped to disperse some of these rumors when he spoke about his love for the couple during his first speech as the new monarch.
Read on to find out more.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Attended The Queen’s Funeral
MEGADespite Harry and Markle’s joint decision to resign from their senior positions in the royal family, they occupied a very visible spot at the funeral. The couple announced their decision to step down from their royal duties in March 2021.
Alongside their duties, the Duke and Duchess lost access to their security protection and royal income. After having served in the English military for years, Harry also had to let go of his military titles.
During the state burial, held at the Westminster Abbey palace, the couple took their position directly behind King Charles III, Harry’s father. The King automatically assumed the throne upon the Queen’s death. His wife, Camilla, became the Queen consort.
While a handful of Royal family members wore their uniforms to the funeral, Buckingham Palace reportedly stopped Harry from following suit, as he no longer works there. He originally left the UK after resigning from his duties in January 2020.
They Were In The UK Before The Funeral
MEGAThe Duke and Duchess had already been in the UK two weeks before the late Queen died per Daily Mail. The Manchester event, which they flew in for, hosted young leaders from over 190 countries. Besides gracing the event as a member of the royal family, Markle also attended as a counselor of the organization.
The 41-year-old former actress also sat beside Jamie Oliver, Justin Trudeau, and Sir Richard Branson, among others. The royal couple also planned to attend an event in Germany ahead of the Invictus Games next year.
The recent visit marked their first trip to the UK since they showed up for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June to mark 70 years on the throne. Once news reached the couple that the Queen was in bad health, Harry visited the palace to be by her side. However, she passed away later that day at 96 years old.
Prince Harry Paid Tribute To The Queen
MEGAAfter she passed, the Duke and Duchess appeared at the palace two days later, alongside his brother and wife, Prince William and Kate Middleton. While together, Harry spoke to the citizens outside the building about how the castle was dealing with the monarch’s death.
“In celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, and in mourning her loss, we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty,” he said, per a video taken by The Sun.
Harry said, “It’s a lonely place up there now without her.” He also noted that the royal family missed her a lot and would never forget her, saying, “Every room she was in, we felt her presence throughout.” He also added a personal note to her, saying that he’d “forever” be “grateful” for “meeting” her.
While the Queen’s condition brought them together, this was the first time the public saw the brothers together in almost three years. After their first appearance together in almost three years, both couples united again at Westminster Hall for the reception of the monarch’s coffin on September 14th.
King Charles III Addressed Prince Harry And Meghan Markle
MEGAEven before Queen Elizabeth’s death, there have been rumors that Harry and Meghan have a tense relationship with several royal family members. These members include Prince William, King Charles himself, and Queen Consort Camilla.
During the King’s first public address as the new head of the British monarchy, he spoke about the couple. He said, “I also want to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.”
