Prince Harry was sent a bittersweet final birthday message by the late Queen as he prepares to return to the UK for his father's Coronation.
The Duke of Sussex turned 38 in September but the occasion was one of sadness due to the death of his beloved grandmother one week prior.
Prince Harry was in the UK with wife Meghan Markle at the time preparing for the Queen’s funeral and the day prior had joined his brother William and their father King Charles III leading the procession behind the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster.
Heartbreakingly, the Queen's final birthday message to Harry was for his 37th birthday in September 2021, with Elizabeth II writing a heartfelt message, despite Harry previously making the difficult decision to leave the Royal Family and build a new life for himself and wife Meghan in the US.
The Queen's final birthday message to Prince Harry read: "Wishing The Duke of Sussex a happy birthday today!"
The Royal Family's social media accounts also marked the occasion by posting four pictures of the Duke of Sussex. The snaps included one with Meghan in Australia in 2018 and another of the Duke with schoolchildren in Botswana.
Prince Harry was extremely close to his grandmother and even named his daughter Lilibet, which was the Queen's nickname.
After the Queen’s death, the Duke of Sussex said: "In celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen—and in mourning her loss—we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty.
“Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings—from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren.”
It was confirmed earlier this month that Harry will fly to the UK to attend the Coronation on May 6, although wife Meghan will stay in the US.
However Harry's visit will only be a flying one and he's expected to skip the Coronation Concert on Sunday night, which will see stars including Katy Perry and Take That take to the stage.
A royal source revealed: “After much back and forth, Harry said that he would be returning for the King’s Coronation but it will
only be a fleeting visit.
“Organisers have been told Harry won’t be attending the concert with the rest of the Royal Family, which is a great shame as it will be such a spectacular event.”
