Prince Harry Marks His 38th Birthday in the U.K. Days Before Queen Elizabeth's Funeral

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Martin Meissner - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry’s birthday will be somber this year.

The Duke of Sussex turns 38 Thursday, just one week after the death of his grandmotherQueen Elizabeth. He and wifeMeghan Markleare in the U.K. ahead of the funeral on Monday.

This is the second time in Harry’s life that his birthday has fallen near the funeral of a beloved family member. His mother,Princess Diana, died on August 31, 1997, and her funeral took place one week later — nine days before Harry’s 13th birthday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in the U.K. from their California home for a series of charity visits earlier this month, and the prince was able to travel toBalmoral Castleon the day the monarch died at age 96.

The couple remained in the U.K. ahead of the Queen’sstate funeral, which will be held at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. Harry and Meghan, 41, stepped out alongside the royal family a few times in the past week, starting with asurprise walkaboutwithPrince WilliamandKate Middletonoutside Windsor Castle on Saturday.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince William and Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty

Dressed in black, the foursome greeted well-wishers who came to pay respects to the late monarch and toured the deluge of tributes.

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According to Kensington Palace, William invited Harry and Meghan to join him and Kate at the Windsor gates, while another source added that security didn’t expect both couples at the walkabout. William, 40, thought the moment “was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family,” a royal source told PEOPLE.

On Tuesday night, Harry and Meghan joinedKing Charles III,Queen Camilla, the new Prince and Princess of Wales and other family members to receiveQueen Elizabeth’s coffin as itarrived at Buckingham Palacefrom Scotland, where she died. The family had a private evening after the coffin reached the palace, poignantly on English soil for the first time.

Stepping out again on Wednesday afternoon,Prince Harryparticipated in the coffin’sceremonial processionfrom Buckingham Palace, where the Queen lived in London for 70 years, to the Palace of Westminster, the complex where her funeral will commence. WhilePrince Harrypoignantly walkedbeside his brother, Meghan rode in a car withSophie, Countess of Wessexto a short service.

Prince William and Prince Harry.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

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source: people.com