Prince Harry (37) made a first statement about the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) to the public. For a joint picture with his "Granny", he wrote touching farewell words on the "Archwell.com" page, which he runs together with his wife Duchess Meghan (41) - and also addressed a few words to his father and the new king, Charles III. (73).

He is said to have waited until this Monday (September 12) to honor the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Celebrating the Queen's life and mourning her death, Prince Harry said, "We are all reminded what a guiding compass she has been to so many people through her dedication and sense of duty."

Harry recalls the words the Queen herself spoke when her prince consort Philip died in 2021 at the age of 99: "Of course, life consists of final goodbyes – as well as first meetings."

Then Prince Harry addressed direct words to his grandmother and thanked her for the many beautiful moments together: "Granny, while this final farewell causes us great sadness, I am forever grateful to you for all our first meetings - my first childhood memories with you. As I first met you as my Commander-in-Chief. Right up until the moment you met my beloved wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren."

He thanks her sincerely for her willingness to make sacrifices, her always good advice and last but not least for her "contagious smile. We also smile thanks to the knowledge that you and grandpa are now reunited forever and in peace."

As a side note, Prince Harry wrote something that could be interpreted as a small gesture of reconciliation towards his father: "And speaking of first meetings, we now honor my father in his new role as King Charles III." Perhaps after the farewell to the Queen and with the new era for the royal family, the troubled father-son relationship of the two is about to start anew.