Queen's bittersweet final birthday message to Prince Harry
Prince Harry is gearing up to fly back to the UK from America for the coronation of his father, King Charles III next week. The Duke of Sussex's relationship with the King is understood to be difficult at the moment after he and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, moved to California in an effort to distance themselves from the British Royal family - and later made various accusations criticising the way Senior Royals had treated them over the years. But the most Senior Royal of all, the late Queen Elizabeth II, had a close relationship with Prince Harry - and certainly, he'll be feeling mixed emotions when he returns to Westminster Abbey for his father's coronation, the same Abbey where the Queen's funeral was held last September.
The Queen sadly passed away just a week before the Duke of Sussex's 38th birthday in September, 2022 - so Prince Harry never received a Happy Birthday message from her on the day. Instead, his last birthday message from Her Majesty was sent the year before - but she showed her love for him and his family with a "heartfelt message."
Prince Harry will be attending his father, King Charles III coronation on Saturday 6 May - but it's understood it will be a fleeting visit (Image: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
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Her Majesty's final birthday message to Prince Harry read: "Wishing The Duke of Sussex a happy birthday today!" and was soon followed by a Happy Birthday message and a series of photos on the Royal Family's official social media accounts, including photos of Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex. After the Queen's death, a devastated Prince Harry 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."
The coronation of King Charles III, and Camilla, The Queen Consort, will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May (Image: Getty Images)
Prince Harry's visit to the UK for the coronation is expected to be "fleeting," sources say. It's understood he will arrive in the UK the evening before the Coronation on Saturday 6 May and will leave shortly after the ceremony, in order to get back to America in time for his son Prince Archie's fourth birthday. Royal expert Tessa Dunlop told OK!: "I think Harry will arrive the night before for the Coronation," adding: "I think security will be closely and tightly choreographed - the amount of money that is being spent on security in and out of that Abbey which is going to be the main bit, you've got some of the most significant politicians in the world coming, so I don't think Harry needs to worry too much.
I think his main security concerns come around his family and his children, I think he's almost less worried." While Tessa confirmed that we don't officially know where Prince Harry will be sat during the Coronation service, she suggested he'd be sat with his cousins. "I think he'll be sat with Royals such as Eugenie and Zara."
Prince Harry will be attending the Coronation without his wife, Meghan the Duchess of Sussex - it's understood the Duchess is staying at home in California to look after the couple's two children and to begin preparations for their son Prince Archie's fourth birthday
Last month, Buckingham Palace shared a brief statement confirming Prince Harry would be attending the ceremony. A spokesperson said: "Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May.
The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."
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