Prince Harry makes surprise visit to Queen’s final resting place on flying solo trip to UK

Prince Harry has made an unexpected appearance at the Queen’s final resting place to mark the aniversary of her death while on his solo trip to the UK.

Prince Harry was spotted leaving St George's Chapel on Friday, the Queen's final resting place. Picture: amygiles0188/Twitter

Prince Harry has made a surprise visit to the Queen’s final resting place at St George’s Chapel on the one year anniversary of her death on Friday.

Harry is in the UK on a flying visit – but is hundreds of kilometres away from his brother Prince William and father King Charles as the Royal Family marks the solemn day, The Sun reports.

Duke of Sussex, 38, looked serious as he left the chapel in Windsor – having yesterday jetted into London for the WellChild awards without Meghan Markle.

The trip is the first time Harry – who lives in the US with Meghan and their two kids – has returned to the UK since his father King Charles’s coronation in May.

It was thought it would be a brief visit with no time for him to meet with members of The Firm before he heads to Dusseldorf in Germany for the Invictus Games tomorrow.

Prince Harry was spotted leaving St George's Chapel today, the Queen's final resting place. Picture: amygiles0188/Twitter

King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a church service to mark the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II in Crathie, Aberdeenshire. Picture: Getty Images.

But today he surprised royal fans when he was spotted leaving Windsor Castle, paying a visit to the chapel where the Queen was laid to rest.

It’s understood that a few members of the Royal Family have paid their respects separately at the chapel this morning.

St George’s Chapel is where the Queen was laid to rest last year alongside her mother, father, sister and Prince Philip.

And it is where Harry and Meghan tied the knot back in 2018.

Harry was today seen leaving St George’s Chapel alone – while his dad King Charles was in Scotland with Queen Camilla.

The duke did not a receive an invite to spend the anniversary with the firm – as a palace insider claimed his dad Charles has “no time in the diary” to see his son.

Charles and Camilla were today joined by the late Queen’s niece and nephew, Lady Sarah Chatto and the Earl of Snowdon.

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales arrive at St Davids Cathedral to commemorate the life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: Getty.

Meanwhile William and Kate have joined a private church service at St David’s Cathedral in Wales today, to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s life.

They then met members of the local community in the cloister.

And they are not believed to have seen Harry – who visited London for the WellChild awards last night – with William having carried out his royal duties in Bournemouth 100 miles away on Thursday.

Last night Harry paid tribute to the Queen at the event – saying his grandmother was “looking down on us, happy we’re together”.

Flowers placed by Britain's Prince William and Princess Catherine next to a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth at St Davids Cathedral. Picture: Getty.

Speaking at the awards, Harry said: “As you know I was unable to attend the awards last year as my grandmother passed away.

“As you also probably also know she would have been the first person to insist that I still come to be with you all instead of going to her.

“And that’s precisely why I know exactly one year on that she’s looking down on us tonight, happy we are together – continuing to spotlight such an incredible community.”

Prince Harry had dashed to Scotland to be by his grandmother’s side last year but tragically missed the opportunity to say goodbye to the 96-year-old.

Britain's King Charles with his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. Picture: Daniel Leal / AFP.

Since her death, Harry has continued to live in the US with wife Meghan Markle and their children Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2 – only returning to the UK a handful of times.

The duke has previously returned for his High Court battle, along with his father’s coronation on May 6 this year.

It comes after the King recorded a message and released a favourite photograph of his mother.

Charles, in words written, and audio spoken, at Balmoral Castle and recorded on Thursday, said he recalled with “great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us”.

He said: “I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.”

The formal colour photograph chosen by Charles was taken by Cecil Beaton and shows her aged 42 in 1968. She is standing sideways and smiling in her Garter robes and wearing the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s Tiara, made of 15 interlaced diamond circles.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Prince Harry makes surprise visit to Queen’s final resting place on flying solo trip to UK