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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Jennifer Newton & Ketsuda Phoutinane

Prince Harry mystery timeline as royal 'learned Queen died from news alert'

The Queen's death certificate has offered a clearer look about that fateful day as puzzling details about Prince Harry's travels - and when he found out - remain in question.

As the royal family rushed to her bedside, Prince Harry cut a lonely figure as he travelled to Balmoral without his wife Meghan Markle or other relatives. The Queen's grandson landed at Aberdeen airport at 5:35pm before arriving at Balmoral at 8pm.

Initial reports said the Duke of Sussex found out the Queen died "five minutes" before landing. However, The Telegraph has reported Prince Harry learned the sad news online whilst King Charles was attempting to get in touch with him.

The outlet reported: "The Telegraph has since been told that the phone call did not go through. While he knew his father was trying to get in touch with him, it was said last night, the Prince read a breaking news announcement online before they could work the technology to speak."

A spokesman for the new monarch insisted the Queen's death announcement "was not made until all family members had been informed".

A source told the Telegraph: "The official announcement was delayed until after everybody had been told. Part of the issue was getting hold of the Duke of Sussex."

The official announcement of her death came at 6.30pm that day. The Daily Mail reported palace officials saying King Charles personally told Harry the sad news just five minutes before the rest of the world.

Reports claim Prince Harry found out the Queen died from a breaking news alert (WireImage)

It is believed that earlier in the day, Charles had told both Harry and older son Prince William to come to Balmoral as their grandmother was seriously ill, the Mirror reported.

This has led some to wonder why Harry learned of her death over three hours it took place - although it's not clear how easily contactable he was with reports also suggesting Charles does not carry a mobile phone.

However, this is what appears to have happened on that fateful day.

September 8 - lunchtime

The Queen's cause of death has been confirmed as old age (Getty Images)

On the day of the Queen's death, Harry and Meghan were due to appear at the WellChild Awards in London. In previous days, they had already been to Manchester and Dusseldorf.

At 12.35pm on September 8, a statement was released by Buckingham Palace saying doctors had become concerned for the Queen's health and that she was under medical supervision.

Within 15 minutes, a statement said the now King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla would be travelling to be with the Queen - and Prince William would also be going to Balmoral.

It is believed Charles and Camilla quickly reached Balmoral in the early afternoon. Princess Anne was already at her mother's side.

September 8 - afternoon

Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, travelled to Scotland together (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Just after 1.30pm that day, it was announced Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex would also be racing to Balmoral.

Minutes later, it was reported Harry and Meghan would be "travelling to Scotland" after changing their plans - although this was later revised to just Harry going to Balmoral.

It was reported that Harry would take the same plane from RAF Northolt as his royal relatives - but he instead travelled on a separate private jet.

Last week, the Sun alleged that Harry missed the RAF flight due to a row over whether it was "appropriate" to bring his wife Meghan Markle with him.

Harry with King Charles, Prince William and Prince Andrew (Getty Images)

A source told the newspaper: "Harry was so busy trying to get Meghan to Balmoral and rowing with his family that he missed the flight."

The RAF flight that took William, Andrew, Edward and Sophie to Aberdeen left Northolt at 2.39pm - and as the death certificate lists the time of death at 3.10pm, they did not make it to the Queen's beside before she passed away. They arrived at Balmoral just after 5pm.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Liz Truss confirmed she learned of the Queen's death at 4.30pm.

September 8 - evening

Prince Harry was told of the Queen's death just five minutes before the official announcement, it is claimed. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Harry boarded flight G-LEAX at London Luton Airport and departed for Aberdeen at 5.35pm - his flight landed at 6.47pm.

At 6.30pm, Buckingham Palace formally announced the Queen's death saying she had passed away peacefully that afternoon.

The Telegraph reports the Duke of Sussex was informed of the Queen's death by a breaking news announcement after King Charles unsuccessfully attempted to reach Harry.

According to the Daily Mail, palace officials say Charles was able to contact his son at 6.25pm to tell him the sad news - five minutes before the rest of the world was informed.

Harry was eventually driven through the gates of Balmoral around 8pm - almost five hours after the Queen passed away.

September 9 - morning

Prince Harry appears to be consoled by an airport worker at Abderdeen airport (REUTERS)

The morning after the Queen's death, Harry was the first royal to depart Balmoral, having been spotted catching a British Airways flight from Aberdeen to London Heathrow around 8.30am.

An empathetic member of ground staff could be seen talking to him in the moments before he boarded the plane to leave Scotland.

He was seen putting a kind hand on her back as they chatted in what was clearly an emotional moment between the pair.

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