Prince Harry pays an emotional tribute to his late grandmother the Queen in a statement today

Today, the Duke of Sussex paid an emotional tribute to his late grandmother, the Queen, praising her ‘sound advice’ and ‘infectious smile’ and referring to her as a ‘guiding compass’ for her dedication to devotion and duty.

In a statement issued today, which was reportedly delayed a day out of respect for the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Duke said that he want to honour his father at the beginning of his reign as king.

Harry also alluded to his ‘darling wife’ Meghan Markle, expressed gratitude that the Queen had embraced her ‘loving great-grandchildren,’ and talked of how he ‘cherished’ his time with the 96-year-old monarch.

Today, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla visited Westminster Hall in London, where both Houses of Parliament offered their condolences to the new king and his wife, and the King responded.

Later, the casket containing the Queen’s remains will be transported from the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to the neighbouring St Giles’ Cathedral, where her family and the congregation will have a memorial ceremony in her honour.

And Harry said today: ‘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.

‘She was globally admired and respected. Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy.

‘Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: ‘Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.”

He added: ‘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.

‘I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over.

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