Heartbreaking way Prince Harry found out about his grandfather’s death

14 June 2024 , 12:09

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Prince Harry learned of Prince Philip's death in a devastating call

Prince Harry described the heartbreaking moment he found out about the death of his grandfather after "fleeing" the UK.

The Duke of Sussex opened up about how he discovered the death of Prince Philip, who passed away on April 9 2021, after he and Meghan Markle had left England for a life in Canada, followed by the USA. He detailed the devastating moment he woke to the news as he spoke to the late Queen on the phone in his memoir Spare.

The shocking event was the first moment that called for Harry to return to the UK as he admitted he wasn't sure when he would ever be back after leaving with Meghan. He wrote: "When my wife and I fled this place, in fear for our sanity and physical safety, I wasn’t sure when I’d ever come back."

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Harry's departure saw him miss the final days with his grandfather

Harry continued: "That was January 2020. Now, fifteen months later, here I was, days after waking to thirty-two missed calls and then one short, heart-racing talk with Granny: Harry... Grandpa's gone." The loss of his grandpa was a major blow for Harry amid an already chaotic couple of years.

Now it seems that he could be set to try and spend more time with his father King Charles III amid his cancer battle as reports suggest Harry has been hunting for a house in the UK for future visits. The move would see him have a more secure base and avoid having to stay in hotels when he does visit.

It could also make trips where he is accompanied by Meghan and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet more possible. That would come as welcome news for Charles after reports that he is keen to spend more time with his grandchildren having met them only a handful of times in contrast to his strong familial relationship with Prince William's children.

Harry had a close bond with Philip

Charles is reportedly frustrated that he currently only gets to see Archie and Lilibet on occasional video calls and wants more of a relationship with them. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla is reportedly encouraging the efforts to boost their bond after Charles reportedly sent Lilibet a "heartfelt gift and card" for her third birthday earlier this month.

Royal commentator Michael Cole explained to MailOnline that Charles is feeling a "lack of closeness with his California grandchildren acutely." The former BBC royal correspondent said thats while Charles "looks as happy and as content as I have ever seen him" it appears his "only regret is that he does not see Archie and Lilibet."

Ayeesha Walsh