Royal Reflection: Prince William and Harry Honor Queen Elizabeth II on First Death Anniversary
![Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace](https://www.entertaintimes.com/images/full/5217/prince-william-the-duke-of-cambridge-and-prince-harry-duke-of-sussex-attend-the-unveiling-of-a-statue-they-commissioned-of-their-mother-diana-princess-of-wales-in-the-sunken-garden-at-kensington-palace.jpg?w=600)
A year after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the British royal family and the nation come together to remember and honor the life and legacy of the beloved monarch.
On September 8, Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, marked the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death with a visit to Pembrokeshire, located on the southwestern tip of Wales. The royal couple attended a short service at St Davids Cathedral, which included a commemoration of Her Majesty's life. The cathedral holds a special connection with the late Queen, as it was the location where she distributed the Royal Maundy during a Maundy Thursday service in 1982. Additionally, Queen Elizabeth II is the only British monarch to have held a place in the Quire among Chapter members at the cathedral, having done so on four occasions during her visits.
The visit to Wales also held personal significance for Prince William and Kate Middleton. They were named Prince and Princess of Wales by King Charles III on September 9, 2022, a day after the Queen's passing.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry paid a heartfelt tribute to his late grandmother during his speech at the WellChild Awards in London on September 7. The Duke of Sussex expressed his admiration for the resilience and spirit of children and young people across the U.K. and praised the caregivers and parents for their unwavering dedication. Reflecting on the Queen's death, Prince Harry shared that she would have wanted him to attend the awards and support the community. He fondly remembered her, stating, "she is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we're together continuing to spotlight such an incredible community."
Last year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had planned to attend the WellChild Awards together. However, they had to cancel their appearance upon learning of Queen Elizabeth II's deteriorating health. In his memoir titled "Spare," Prince Harry revealed that he learned of his grandmother's passing from the news on his phone after landing in Scotland.
King Charles III, who ascended the throne following the Queen's death, also paid tribute to his mother. In a message on the royal family's official website, he expressed gratitude for the love and support shown to him and his wife over the past year. He also shared an unreleased portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, taken in 1968, which was part of the National Portrait Gallery's first photographic exhibition.
The British royals, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, had come together last year for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral services, culminating in her state funeral on September 19.
The first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death serves as a poignant reminder of her enduring legacy and the deep affection and respect she commanded from her family and the nation.