Prince Harry Pays Tribute to Queen Elizabeth on Third Anniversary of Her Passing

Published: 08 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has returned to the United Kingdom to honour the memory of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the third anniversary of her death. In a deeply personal gesture, the Duke laid a wreath and placed flowers at her final resting place in Windsor, where the Queen lies buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel within the historic St George’s Chapel.

The visit marked a solemn moment of remembrance for the Queen, who passed away on 8 September 2022 after a reign of more than seventy years. Her death brought to a close the longest reign in British history and ushered in a period of both mourning and transition for the monarchy under King Charles III. The anniversary has rekindled reflections on her remarkable legacy of service, stability, and devotion to duty, which shaped not only the United Kingdom but also the wider Commonwealth.

Prince Harry arrived in Britain on Monday morning and travelled directly to Windsor. Sources close to the Duke have suggested that he wanted to pay his respects quietly and privately, without fanfare, in keeping with the reflective nature of the day. Laying a wreath and floral tribute, he spent time in silence at the chapel where the late Queen rests alongside her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

The Duke’s return to the UK for this occasion is significant given the strains that have marked relations within the Royal Family in recent years. Harry, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 alongside his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has lived in California since then and has been outspoken in his criticisms of both the media and certain aspects of the monarchy. His presence in Windsor, however, serves as a reminder of his enduring bond with his grandmother, whom he frequently described as a guiding influence in his life.

The anniversary has also been observed across the country and abroad, with members of the public leaving flowers outside royal residences and sharing memories of the late Queen. At Windsor, visitors paused to reflect at the chapel gates, many recalling her steadfastness during times of crisis, from the Second World War to the global pandemic. For many Britons, Queen Elizabeth remains a figure synonymous with continuity, dignity, and devotion to her role until the very end of her life.

While it is not yet clear whether Prince Harry will meet other members of the Royal Family during this visit, royal watchers note that such commemorations may offer moments of quiet reconciliation. King Charles III, alongside other senior royals, is expected to mark the day in private reflection, with no large-scale public events scheduled. The Palace has emphasised that the day is one for personal remembrance rather than official ceremony.

For Prince Harry, the act of laying flowers at his grandmother’s grave underscores the enduring connection he feels to the Queen, regardless of personal or institutional divisions. As the nation reflects on three years since the passing of one of its most beloved monarchs, his tribute highlights how her memory continues to resonate not only within the Royal Family but across Britain and the Commonwealth she devoted her life to serving.