Prince Harry Flies Back To LA To Comfort Wife Meghan Markle Following Sad Family Passing

Jul 02, 2021 by apost team

The first official statue in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales was unveiled yesterday at Kensington Palace's Sunken Garden by her sons Prince William and Prince Harry. Coinciding with what would have been her 60th birthday, the tribute to the late princess was announced back in 2017 on the 20th anniversary of her death but was pushed back due to the ongoing pandemic. 

Located at the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace — one of Diana's favorite spots at the residence — the public will be able to visit the statue and pay their respects in person. Unveiling the statue together yesterday, Harry had traveled to the U.K. especially for the event. 

Unfortunately, however, Meghan Markle was not able to join Harry on the trip, as she stayed behind in the United States following the birth of the couple's daughter Lilibet Diana — who is named after both her grandmother and great-grandmother — in early June.

In sad news, it was unexpectedly revealed days ago that Meghan's paternal uncle, Michael Markle, had died at the age of 82 after a battle with Parkinson's disease. The elder brother of Meghan's father Thomas, Michael, was a former diplomat who even secured Meghan an internship in her early 20s.

Since Harry arrived in the UK one week before the unveiling of his mother's statue in order to self-isolate prior to the event, he wasn't able to be with his wife and two children when news of Michael's passing broke. However, now that the unveiling is over, Harry was seen leaving the UK and flying back to California to be with his mourning wife and their kids. 

News of Meghan Markle's uncle Michael Markle's passing broke just a few days ago. The older brother of her father Thomas Markle, Michael had been battling Parkinson's disease before he passed away at the age of 82. The Sun reports that he was a former diplomat, who through his job was able to secure a sought-after internship for Meghan as a junior press officer at Argentina's American embassy when she was 20 years old.

Hello! reported that Meghan will mourn her uncle's death at home in private. Understandably, once Prince Harry was finished with the unveiling of the statue of his mother, he went to the airport to fly back to be with his mourning wife and two children. 

After arriving in the UK last week in order to self-isolate at his home, Frogmore Cottage, ahead of the statue unveiling, Harry produced a negative result on his COVID-19 test on day five, allowing him to make a surprise appearance at the WellChild Awards. While he was there he spoke to children and young people who'd been recognized by the charity. He also spoke about his life as a father-of-two at the event, telling friend Ed Sheeran that having two kids was "a juggle," as reported by Hello!

In regard to the official unveiling of the statue honoring Princess Diana's life and legacy, the event went very smoothly. Its low-key nature is partly attributable to the fact that COVID-19 restrictions meant that the event was only sparsely attended, though Prince Harry and Prince William were able to reunite with their late mother’s siblings: Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Charles Spencer.

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The new statue, sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley, shows Diana with short hair accompanied by three children. In front, a paving stone is engraved with words inspired by the poem “The Measure of Man.”

"The figure of Diana, Princess of Wales, is surrounded by three children who represent the universality and generational impact of the Princess’s work," Kensington Palace said regarding the statue’s special meaning.

The statement also continued:

"The portrait and style of dress was based on the final period of her life, as she gained confidence in her role as an ambassador for humanitarian causes and aims to convey her character and compassion." 

Harry and William gave their own joint tribute to their late mother at the unveiling, in which they stated:

"Today, on what would have been our mother's 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength and character — qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better.

"Every day, we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy."

The princes, who are responsible for commissioning the statue, went on to thank those who were involved:

"Thank you to Ian Rank-Broadley, Pip Morrison and their teams for their outstanding work, to the friends and donors who helped make this happen, and to all those around the world who keep our mother's memory alive."

Fans from around the world took to social media to pay tribute to Diana on her 60th birthday and the new statue.

What do you think about Prince Harry leaving the UK soon after his mother's statue unveiling to be with Meghan Markle as she mourns her uncle? Pass this on to those you know so they can stay informed too.