The matriarch is missing. The royal family — and particularly Prince Harry — are doing their best to cope following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, an insider exclusively tells Us Weekly.
“The royals knew Elizabeth’s end was near, but mentally, she was as sharp as ever right until it was her time to go,” the source explains. “All of the royals are struggling to come to terms with the devastating news.”
The Duke of Sussex, 37, is especially upset that he didn’t arrive in Scotland until after his grandmother had already died on Thursday, September 8. The BetterUp CIO (and his wife), Meghan MarkleThey were supposed to attend the WellChild Awards in London. The Suits alum, 41, stayed behind as her husband traveled to Balmoral Castle, but Buckingham Palace announced the queen’s death before he arrived.
Prince Harry ZUMAPRESS.com/ MEGA
“Harry is guilt-stricken — full of sorrow and regret about not saying goodbye to the queen,” the insider tells Use. “They met up a couple of times during the Platinum Jubilee, but he by no means expected it to be the last time he saw her.”
Harry maintained a close relationship and friendship with Elizabeth, even though he was a former military pilot. In April, he married the BenchAuthor surprised her by making a surprise visit to her while they were in the Netherlands for Invictus Games.
“He loved his grandmother with all his heart and is going through a terrible time right now,” the source adds. “The news hasn’t fully sunk in.”
Harry last saw the monarch in June, when she traveled to England with Meghan and their children, Archie (3 years old) and Lili (15 months). This was the first occasion when the queen met her greatgranddaughter, who was born in California after the Sussexes had relocated to England.
Elizabeth had to cancel several Jubilee appearances for her health. But an insider revealed that Elizabeth was forced to cancel. UseShe was happy to spend time with Harry and his children at that time.
Queen Elizabeth II David Hartley/Shutterstock
“After reluctantly pulling out of Party at the Palace, spending time with her great-grandchildren and seeing Lilibet turn 1 added some light to her day,” the source explained in June. “She thinks they’re adorable and gave Lili and Archie gifts.”
The Invictus Games founder hasn’t yet publicly commented on his grandmother’s death, but on Thursday, his and Meghan’s Archewell foundation posted a brief tribute to the queen on its website. “In Loving Memory of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the message read alongside the dates 1926 to 2022.
His first address as monarch was Friday, September 9th. King Charles IIIAfter confirming that, he briefly mentioned his youngest child and Meghan. Prince William Duchess KateThey will be known as the Prince and Princess respectively.
“With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given,” the former Duke of Cornwall, 73, said. “I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas. In a little over a week’s time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest.”
