Royal fans could see that Harry was not ousted from the Queen’s funeral procession.
Today, he joined other family members to walk behind the Queen’s coffin.
This is not the first time, as it was something he did when he was 12, following his mother’s tragic exit—almost reliving the horrific episode that caused him trauma.
Harry lived recklessly after Diana’s death.
Despite their exit from royal duties and as senior royal members, Harry and Meghan have joined the royal family in honoring the Queen by participating in the monarch’s burial procession.
It has been more than a week since her peaceful death, and the Sussexes are still sticking around. Today, Harry was present for his grandma’s state burial.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to look at floral tributes on the Long walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
The Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales walked side by side during the match to Westminster Abbey while the Queen’s coffin was in front of them.
This is not the first time Harry would walk close to his brother while honoring the Queen. A few days ago, the Duke of Sussex was spotted holding hands with Meghan as he strolled alongside other family members.
Reportedly, Harry and William participated in more than one procession. They walked behind the Queen’s coffin through London to the Wellington arch this time.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Once the coffin arrived in Windsor, the brothers tagged behind it down the Long Walk. Their final destination was Windsor Castle, where they attended the committal service in St. George’s Chapel.
The Queen’s death was devastating to millions around the world, especially members of the royal family. Harry, who was close to his grandma but has lived away for about two years, was honest about his grief.
Expectedly, they were not alone. Prince William and Prince Harry were led by their father, King Charles, and his three siblings, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew.
Prince William, Prince of Wales, King Charles III and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch the coffin of HM Queen Elizabeth during The State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
At the beginning of his tributary speech to the phenomenal long-term monarch, he praised her work ethic and passion for serving the crown, adding that she left behind an incredible legacy.
Harry openly shared that he would miss her greatly. He confesses how much he cherishes the memories they created from his earliest days as a child until adulthood—when she met his wife and their two kids, Archie and the Queen’s namesake, Lilibet.
Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan hold their baby son Archie as they meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife (unseen) at the Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town on September 25, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Amid acknowledging her reputation, he gave the nod to his father, King Charles III, the reigning monarch. In conclusion, he offered a few lines of gratitude to his grandma for the roles she played and added:
“We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”
King Charles III at a reception with Realm High Commissioners and their spouses in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace on September 11, 2022 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Sadly, this is not the first time Harry will be burying his loved ones. In 1997, the then 12-year-old Prince experienced something seemingly heartbreaking when his mother, Diana, died in a ghastly accident.
Harry Was Traumatized by His Mom’s Death
For the royals, having family members walk behind a coffin is a tradition that has long been upheld, one that even modern royal fans are aware of. This may seem poignant, but on September 6, 1997, it was the cruelest thing to do to a 12-year-old Harry.
Simultaneously, he tried to obliterate the grief from his mind, so he turned to some eccentricities. Harry was often in the headlines for disgraceful behaviors as a young prince.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry, and the Prince of Wales following the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales, to Westminster Abbey for her funeral service [L-R] in September 1997 | Source: Getty Images
A week before, he lost his mother, Diana. He was expected to walk alongside his brother, then 15-year-old William, father, the former Prince Charles, his maternal uncle, Charles Spencer, and grandpa, Prince Philip.
Harry never forgot this day; more than twenty years later, he appeared overwhelmed while recalling the experience.
Prince William and Prince Harry stand outside Westminster Abbey at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales on September 6, 1997, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The Duke of Sussex revealed that his mother had just died, yet, he had to abide by tradition, to march behind her coffin, as he was being watched on TV by millions of people worldwide. He commented:
“I don’t think any child should be asked to do that under any circumstances. I don’t think it would happen today.”
Despite feeling hurt by what he had to do, Harry did not brand this tradition wrong or right. Instead, in a later interview, he maintained that he was “very glad” to have been part of such a history.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speak, are presented with sports shirts with their children’s names on them by Invictus athletes during the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 – One Year To Go events on September 06, 2022, in Dusseldorf, Germany. | Source: Getty Images
Harry also complimented his dad for playing the role of a reliable parent after he lost his mom. He explained that it is nearly impossible for a parent to share such nerve-wracking news with their younger ones, but in the end, the King was “there for us.”
In 2017, Diana’s brother, who joined her sons in the funeral procession, echoed Harry’s sentiments on the march.
Charles revealed that it was the “most horrifying half hour” of his life, adding that he continued to suffer nightmares for many years despite being in the past.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, speaks at the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup 2022 on August 25, 2022, in Aspen, Colorado. | Source: Getty Images
Harry’s uncle alleged that the palace had lied to him about his nephews’ willingness to do the walk. He had considered their state of mind and deciphered that it would be heartbreaking.
The Earl clarified that it would have been against Diana’s wishes and that he fought the decision. In fact, Charles confronted the Prince of Wales at the time.
But unfortunately, neither party was ready to reason with the other. Sources confirmed that the King made an insensitive remark about the deceased, leading to Charles banging the phone on him.
Diana, Princess of Wales sitting on a step at her home, Highgrove House, in Doughton, Gloucestershire, 18th July 1986. | Source: Getty Images
Eventually, the King, who felt comfortable with his two sons walking next to him, had his way. However, Charles maintained that it was a “bizarre and cruel thing” to engage the teenagers in the march as onlookers, particularly strangers, did not conceal their grief.
Instead, as they walked, people would sob loudly, pass condolences to the young boys, and make comments in honor of their mother. According to the Earl:
“It was a very, very tricky time.”
Princess Diana, Princess of Wales with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry attend the Heads of State VE Remembrance Service in Hyde Park on May 7, 1995 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Undoubtedly, losing his mother altogether was a tumultuous experience for the young Prince, who confessed that it affected every facet of his life.
Harry shared that being under the public’s constant watch made him feel “very close to a complete breakdown.”
Simultaneously, he tried to obliterate the grief from his mind, so he turned to some eccentricities. Harry was often in the headlines for disgraceful behaviors as a young prince.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex pictured leaving following the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 3, 2022 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The Duke was often portrayed as a party boy who drank, smoked, and partied with women; he also struggled with aggression.
Eventually, Harry changed the cause of his life by listening to the advice of his family and loved ones. He credited William for making him change and share his emotions. Fortunately, the Prince enrolled in therapy and boxing, which helped him.