Prince Harry begged royal family to delay announcement of Queen's death

In the United Kingdom, the death of Queen Elizabeth II was a pivotal moment for the British royal family, officially announced at 6:30 PM on September 8, 2022. Prince Harry, who was traveling to Scotland to be with family when the news was made public, had asked Buckingham Palace to postpone the announcement. Harry's plane encountered stormy weather, causing a delay in landing, and he requested that the Palace wait until he could arrive, wanting to be with his family during such a significant moment. Despite this, the Palace opted to announce her passing without him. The death was solemnly marked by family members who were present at Balmoral, where the Queen passed away. Only King Charles, Camilla, and Princess Anne could be with her during her final moments, having been in the area for prior engagements. By the time Prince William and other relatives arrived, it was too late; they had flown in separately and landed nearly 40 minutes after her death. Prince Harry's initial condition for his return to be present was to have his wife, Meghan Markle, accompany him, but King Charles declined this request, stating that he preferred to keep the gathering intimate. This event further strained the relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family, as it highlighted ongoing tensions stemming from Harry and Meghan's departure from their royal roles in early 2020. Harry's feelings of anger and disappointment regarding his father's decisions on the matter were described in his memoir, showcasing the complexities of their current family dynamics. The days following the announcement saw a united public front from the royals, as they came together for somber displays of mourning, though underlying family controversies continued to be a significant part of their narrative. The aftermath of the announcement included heightened media attention on the royal family and Prince Harry's strained ties with his relatives, particularly as he has tried to maintain connections with his father and brother. Conflicting reports suggest Harry expressed a desire for reconciliation, yet structural barriers remain, and he has generally faced challenges communicating with King Charles. Over the months, both Charles and Harry have engaged in separate public appearances, further illustrating the familial divide that has emerged over the years since Harry and Meghan's decisions to step back from royal duties.