Prince Harry has often spoken about the lasting impact his late mother, Princess Diana, had on his life. Although Diana never had the chance to meet Meghan Markle or Harry’s two children, the Duke has made it a priority to keep her memory alive. In his memoir Spare, he recalled an emotional visit to Diana’s final resting place, revealing what Meghan quietly prayed for during the deeply personal moment.
Since stepping down as senior members of the royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have experienced years of public scrutiny and ongoing tension with the rest of the royal family.
While Meghan never met Princess Diana, royal author Tom Bower claimed in his book House of Beckham that the Duchess saw herself as following in Diana’s footsteps. According to Bower, after the couple’s successful royal tour of Australia, Meghan believed she could become the monarchy’s new “People’s Princess.” He also wrote that she was frustrated by her position in the royal hierarchy, where she ranked behind Catherine, Princess of Wales, the future Queen.
Princess Diana remained one of the world’s most beloved public figures even after her divorce from King Charles, and her influence continues to be felt decades after her tragic death in 1997.
Harry has frequently honored his mother’s legacy and has spoken openly about ensuring his children know the grandmother they never had the chance to meet.
In 2022, Harry and Meghan visited Althorp, the Spencer family estate where Princess Diana is buried. Recalling the visit in Spare, Harry described it as one of the most emotional experiences of his life.
“No visit to this place was ever easy, but this one… the twenty-fifth anniversary. And Meg’s first time. At long last, I was bringing the girl of my dreams home to meet Mum,” Harry wrote.
He explained that he placed flowers on Diana’s grave and took a private moment to speak to his mother in silence, telling her how much he missed her and asking for guidance and clarity.
Wanting Meghan to have her own private moment, Harry stepped away. When he returned, he found her kneeling beside the grave with her eyes closed and her hands resting on the stone.
As they walked back, Harry asked what she had prayed for.
“Clarity,” Meghan replied. “And guidance.”
What do you think about this emotional moment? Share your thoughts in the comments.