Prince Harry quietly paid homage to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, with a private visit to her final resting place at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
A spokesperson confirmed that the Duke of Sussex laid a wreath of flowers at the chapel, where the Queen was buried in September 2022.
Marking the third anniversary of her death, Harry, 40, made the tribute shortly after arriving in the U.K. A source told PEOPLE that the prince is in a “positive” frame of mind. “He’s in a really good headspace and looking forward to seeing everyone from his charities and the causes he cares about,” the source shared.
Remembering Queen Elizabeth
The late monarch passed away at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, at age 96. She was laid to rest beside her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor following her state funeral. The chapel also holds the remains of her parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, as well as her sister, Princess Margaret.
For Harry, St. George’s holds personal meaning beyond his grandmother’s resting place—it was also the venue of his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018. He previously visited the chapel in 2023 to pay his respects.
Solo Return to the U.K.
Harry returned to Britain on September 8 ahead of several charity commitments. He is traveling alone, without Meghan or their two children, Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4.
His first stop will be the annual WellChild Awards, an organization he has supported since 2007. The event honors children with life-limiting conditions and the caregivers who support them. Harry is set to give a speech and present one of the awards.
While his trip has fueled speculation of a possible reunion with King Charles, no meeting has been confirmed. Father and son have not seen each other in person since February 2024, shortly after the King disclosed he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed cancer. Harry’s subsequent visits to the U.K.—including the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in May 2024 and last year’s WellChild Awards—did not include a reunion with the King.
Tensions remain high due to Harry’s ongoing legal battle over the removal of his taxpayer-funded security, which he lost earlier this year. His relationships with Prince William and Kate Middleton are also reported to be distant.
Hopes for Reconciliation
Despite the strained ties, Harry has publicly voiced his wish to repair relations. Speaking to BBC News in May, he admitted, “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”
Hopes were briefly raised in July when aides representing both Harry and the King held talks in London, suggesting a potential path forward. Whether this latest trip opens the door to healing remains uncertain, but Harry has made it clear he has not given up on reconciliation.
