It was a sunny September afternoon when Harry was sitting on the terrace of his home in Los Angeles, enjoying a rare moment of peace. He had just finished a work call when his phone pinged with an urgent notification. Unlocking the screen, Harry's face went pale as he read the headline that dominated all global headlines: "Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96."
Harry paused, the weight of the news hitting him hard. The Queen, a figure who had always been a huge part of his life and career, was gone. He remembered all the times he had met her. She had always been warm and kind to him, offering advice and support during the most difficult years of his military career. To Harry, the Queen was not just a monarch; she was a woman he deeply respected.
Sitting in silence, he let the memories flood his mind. He remembered the first time he had been honored to meet her, after a high-risk operation that had ensured national security. And then, at several private events, such as his recent retirement ceremony at Kensington Palace. She was there, with her calm and dignified presence, always bringing a sense of stability and order.
Harry knew he had to return to London. It was not only a matter of respect, but also a personal desire to pay his last respects to someone he deeply admired.
Without hesitation, he picked up the phone and made the necessary calls. Kensi, who was upstairs, soon came down, noticing the expression on Harry's face.
"Harry, what happened?" she asked worriedly.
He sighed before answering.
"The Queen has passed away. I have to return to London for the funeral."
Kensi immediately understood the depth of the loss Harry was feeling. She knew how much the Queen meant to him, not only as head of state, but as someone who had touched his life on a personal level.
"I'm so sorry, Harry. She was an incredible woman," Kensi said, hugging him tightly.
"She is," Harry murmured, hugging her back.
That night, Harry booked a flight to London. He knew the city would be in mourning, as would the country and the world, but for him, the grief was personal. His interactions with the Queen had always been respectful but also human. She treated him not just as a soldier or an officer, but as someone who was part of a larger family—the family of those who serve.
A few days later, as he stepped off the plane in London, Harry felt the weight of the collective grief. The city, usually vibrant and full of life, was shrouded in eerie silence. The faces of the people, the flags at half-mast, all reflected the impact of the loss of a figure who had reigned for so long and become a symbol of stability.
He took a taxi to his home in London, but he didn't stay long. There were funeral arrangements underway, and Harry wanted to pay his respects properly. He dressed in the uniform he had worn so many times alongside the Queen at official ceremonies. He knew the funeral would be a grand affair, with leaders from around the world in attendance, but for Harry, it was an intimate farewell.
On the morning of the funeral, Harry drove to Westminster, where the ceremony would be held. The streets were lined with mourners, all paying their last respects. When he arrived at the venue, he found several familiar faces—royals, military friends, and international dignitaries—all there to say goodbye.
He spotted William and Kate, both visibly shaken by the loss of someone so dear to them. William shook his hand firmly, and Kate offered a silent hug.
"She spoke of you so much, Harry. She admired you as much as you admired her," William said, his voice breaking.
Harry nodded, William's words echoing in his heart. He knew these were the last words he would ever need to hear about the Queen. She knew how much she meant to him, and that was enough.
During the service, Harry sat in silence, reflecting on the Queen's extraordinary life and the legacy she had left behind. When the service ended, he approached the coffin to say his final goodbyes.
"Thank you for everything," he whispered softly, his words heard only by himself.
Harry knew that the world would miss Queen Elizabeth II, but for him, the loss was even more profound. She had been a silent guide, a constant inspiration, and now he would have to move on without her presence.
With the service over, Harry left Westminster with a sense of peace. He knew he had done his part to honour the memory of someone who had helped him so much throughout his life. Now it was time to move on, knowing that the lessons he had learned from the Queen would always be with him.