Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William and Kate Middleton.Photo: GEOFF PUGH/POOL/AFP via Getty
To the world, she wasQueen Elizabeth— but toPrince William, she was also “Grannie.”
The Queen, one of the most iconic figures of the 20th and 21st centuries, died Thursday at age 96.
Her grandsonPrince Williamsaid in anofficial statementreleased Saturday, “On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.”
“I, however, have lost a grandmother,” he continued, reflecting on what the Queen meant to his family. “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. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.”
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He went on to thank the late Queen “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.”
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Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis joined Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles on the Buckingham Palace balcony on June 5.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince Williamhas had some of his happiest and saddest memories in Scotland. While speaking at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland last year during hisroyal tour of Scotland, the Duke of Cambridge opened up about his personal connection to the country.
“Scotland is the source of some of my happiest memories. But also, my saddest,” added William, noting that he was atBalmoral Castlewhen he learned of his motherPrincess Diana’s death in 1997.
“I was in Balmoral when I was told that my mother had died. Still in shock, I found sanctuary in the service at Crathie Kirk that very morning,” he said. “And in the dark days of grief that followed, I found comfort and solace in the Scottish outdoors. As a result, the connection I feel to Scotland will forever run deep.”
Prince Harry, Prince William and Queen Elizabeth.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
As the speech continued, William went on to focus on some of the happier memories he has of Scotland, including meeting wife Kate, 40.
“And yet alongside this painful memory, is one of great joy. Because it was here in Scotland – twenty years ago this year — that I first met Catherine,” he said of his wife of 11 years, whom he met while they were both studying at St. Andrews.
“Needless to say, the town where you meet your future wife holds a very special place in your heart,” William continued, noting that their love of Scotland is something they will pass along to their three children. “George,CharlotteandLouisalready know how dear Scotland is to both of us, and they are starting to build their own happy memories here too.”
He added, “We have no doubt they will grow up sharing our love and connection to Scotland from the Highlands to the Central Belt, from the Islands to the Borders.”
source: people.com
