After Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, Sept. 8, Prince William and Kate Middleton said their final farewells. She was 96 years old.
“On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader whose devotion to the country, the Realms, and the Commonwealth was unwavering.” “So much will be said in the coming days about the significance of her historic reign,” William said in a statement released Saturday via Twitter.
“I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade.”
William went on to say that his wife had 20 years of guidance and support from the late monarch and that their children were fortunate to “spend holidays” and “create memories” with her that will last a lifetime.
“She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be sometime before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” William’s statement continued.
“I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age but always relevant to us all.”
William concluded, “My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be a testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen. I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can.”
After the royal family announced Elizabeth’s death at her Scottish vacation home, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge, formerly known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, issued a statement of mourning.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the royal family shared in a statement. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and return to London tomorrow.”
King Charles III called his mother’s death the “greatest sadness” in his own statement.
Her death occurred just hours after the monarch’s family announced that her health had deteriorated and that she was “under medical supervision.”
As her health deteriorated, Prince Charles — now King Charles III — Prince William, Prince Andrew, and others rushed to Scotland to be by her side.
This afternoon, the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral.
Prince Harry also rushed to be by his grandmother’s side while Meghan Markle remained in the United Kingdom.
The Duke of Cambridge, 40, is now first in line to the British throne after his father, Prince Charles, ascended to the throne immediately after the Queen died.
Since the beginning, the Queen has been a vocal supporter of William and Middleton’s relationship.
The sovereign gave her formal consent for her grandson to marry Middleton in April 2011, nearly a year after William proposed with his late mother Princess Diana’s famed sapphire engagement ring.
“Under the Great Seal of the Realm, The Queen signed a notice of approval which proclaimed, in transcribed calligraphy, consent to the union of Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton,” the palace said in a statement at the time.
The couple married the following week at Westminster Abbey. They have since welcomed three children: Prince George, now nine years old and second in line to the British throne; Princess Charlotte, seven. And Prince Louis, four.
The Queen and William have remained close despite many family dramas plaguing the monarchy in recent years, including Prince Harry’s royal exit and Prince Andrew’s sex abuse scandal.
The longest-reigning British monarch sent a sweet message on her grandson’s birthday in June 2021.
“A very happy birthday to The Duke of Cambridge today!” “#HappyBirthdayHRH,” read a tweet on the royal family’s account, along with several photos of William from previous engagements.
The Queen also praised Middleton and performed many royal duties alongside the Duchess of Cambridge, 40, over the years.
Similarly, Middleton honoured the Queen on numerous occasions, including in April 2021, when she wore her husband’s grandmother’s pearl necklace, which Diana previously wore.
In June, William and Middleton publicly appeared with the Queen to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee.
The couple were also by the Queen’s side at her husband, Prince Philip’s, memorial service in March. The Duke of Edinburgh died in April 2021, at 99.
