The message conveyed profound respect for the Queen's lifelong dedication and duty, while also expressing gratitude to the public for their unwavering support. King Charles reflected on the first anniversary of his beloved mother's passing, fondly recalling her long life of devoted service and her significant impact on countless individuals.
He also expressed deep appreciation for the love and support shown to him and his wife during the past year as they continued their commitment to serve. Meanwhile, Prince Harry's visit to London included attendance at the Wellchild Awards ceremony, where he seemed to draw inspiration from his elder brother, Prince William. During his speech, Prince Harry touched upon the past year without the presence of the late Queen.
In a heartfelt manner, he acknowledged his absence from the awards last year as he rushed to be with his family at Balmoral Castle, where the Queen spent her final moments. He expressed the belief that his grandmother, though no longer with them, was watching over everyone.
This sentiment closely mirrored a statement made by Prince William in his speech at the Coronation Concert, where he referred to the Queen as someone who "keeps an eye on us" from above.
It's important to note that on several occasions, Prince Harry has had his statements crafted with the assistance of his archiving staff or Meghan Markle. This has included tributes to Princess Diana. Some have criticized Harry for a lack of originality and suggested that Meghan's influence may play a role in such instances. However, to Prince Harry's credit, in his speech, he focused on his grandmother, the Queen, as opposed to borrowing from Prince William's previous speech.
Prince William is also set to pay homage to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and her Majesty the Queen. Prince Harry's reference to the Queen watching over them was met with a degree of criticism, as some wondered why he hadn't chosen to attend the Wellchild Awards last year, considering the circumstances. The sentiment expressed by Prince Harry, that the Queen wouldn't have wanted him to be by her side at the expense of attending the Wellchild Awards, has raised questions and fueled debate.
It's worth noting that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have, on several occasions, opted for alternative plans instead of participating in family gatherings or events. These choices have elicited varying reactions from the public and have contributed to ongoing discussions about their relationship with the royal family.
