The Royal Family has marked the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death with separate tributes that reflected both public duty and private grief. Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, spent the day in Berkshire at a Women’s Institute (WI) event, while Prince Harry made a quiet visit to Windsor before attending a charity awards ceremony in London. The Queen, who died at Balmoral in September 2022 aged 96, remains the country’s longest-reigning monarch.
William and Catherine Visit Women’s Institute
In Sunningdale, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined WI members for tea and cake. The group has strong links with the late Queen, who had been connected to the local branch for more than 80 years. Prince William told guests: “Three years ago my grandmother passed away. I know she was a big part of the WI and she used to talk about it a lot, so this is a huge honour for me.” He added that it was difficult to believe how quickly the years had passed.
Personal Reflections and Lighter Moments
Guests spoke warmly about the Queen’s lifelong passion for horse racing, which William recalled she followed even in her later years using an iPad. He also stressed the importance of face-to-face connections over digital ones, remarking: “It’s not the same as being together with a cup of tea and a cake.” Conversation turned to family life when William and Catherine spoke about their children, joking that they were now at the age where they delighted in “winding each other up.”
Harry’s Private Wreath-Laying in Windsor
Prince Harry, back in the UK for the first time in five months, began his visit with a private moment at Windsor, where he laid a wreath at his grandmother’s grave. Later in the day he attended the WellChild Awards in London. As patron of the charity, he praised the resilience of seriously ill children and their families. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the awards, which Harry said continue to shine a light on “the strength and courage” shown by young people facing complex medical challenges.
A Week of Engagements for the Duke
Harry is expected to carry out several more engagements during his stay. On Tuesday he will travel to Nottingham to announce a significant donation to a Children in Need project, and on Wednesday he will visit Imperial College London’s Centre for Blast Injury Studies. Meghan and their children have remained in California, highlighting the personal nature of this trip.
Family Mourning and Unanswered Questions
This anniversary also comes at a sombre time for the wider Royal Family following the recent death of the Duchess of Kent. King Charles III, who also marks the third anniversary of his accession, is spending the day privately at Balmoral. Questions remain over whether Harry will meet his father during this visit. The two have not been seen together since February, shortly after the King disclosed his cancer diagnosis.
The Queen’s Enduring Influence
Though William and Harry marked the day apart, their tributes reflected the values that defined the late Queen’s reign: service, community, and compassion. Three years on, Elizabeth II continues to shape the family she led and the nation she served for seven decades.
