Prince William and Princess Kate spearheaded moving royal tributes to Queen Elizabeth II on the third anniversary of her death, while Prince Harry subtly paid his respects in his own manner.
The late queen, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, aged 96, leaving behind an immense legacy and profound family relationships that continue to influence the monarchy.
To commemorate the somber day this year, William and Kate made a visit to the Women’s Institute (WI), an organization that was close to the queen’s heart. The queen was a member of the WI for an incredible 80 years and president of the local branch close to her Sandringham home between 2003 and when she passed away. The Princess and Prince of Wales made an appearance at their local WI branch near Windsor, not far from their family home, and spoke with members while commemorating the queen’s lifelong commitment to the organization.
Kate was seen at the anniversary looking glamorous in a familiar autumn ensemble, wearing her signature brunette locks. The look followed soon after she introduced lighter honey-blonde highlights this month, evidencing her penchant for delicate seasonal style changes. Royal observers saw her presence as evidence of continuity, with the princess moving into a more senior role by the side of her husband as the monarchy moves forward.
At the same time, Prince Harry, who has resided in California with Meghan Markle since he and she retreated from senior royal responsibilities in 2020, made a single-handed return to Britain to honor his grandmother. Harry was seen going to visit St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the queen is buried alongside her late husband, Prince Philip. Walking with flowers, he respectfully paid his respects to her memory at the resting place of the royal family, a touching act that demonstrated his strong connection with his granny even after the continued familial disputes.
Interestingly enough, Harry was still within 10 miles of William and Kate during the remembrance, but the estranged brothers failed to reunite. Their tense relationship has been well chronicled in recent years, with tensions exacerbated by Harry’s public confidences and publication of his memoir Spare. Sources within the palace indicated that there were no plans for reconciliation during his visitation period, though speculation continues as to whether or not he might secretly meet with King Charles III.
King Charles, who is at Balmoral Castle with Queen Camilla, has remained mum on whether he made his observance of the anniversary public or private. On September 7, the royal pair attended a service at Crathie Kirk church close to Balmoral, where prayers were recited both in memory of Queen Elizabeth and for the Duchess of Kent, who died recently. Although Charles has not publicly commented, the official royal family X (formerly Twitter) account posted a heartfelt tribute in the form of a photo of the deceased queen with the caption, “Remembering Queen Elizabeth II, 1926–2022.”
The anniversary both highlighted the unity and the discord within the royal family. William and Kate’s public role underscored their significance in continuing the queen’s values of service and tradition. Harry’s solo visit, on the other hand, was a reminder of his individual bond with his grandmother and the continuing estrangement from his brother and father.
As the monarchy continues to adapt to change during King Charles’s rule, the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II remains a unifying force. Her commitment to duty and years of service to the country continue to inspire homage, even as her heirs commemorate her legacy in distinct and sometimes contrasting terms.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
