Prince Harry’s latest “touching” gesture has been deemed as a clear move towards reconciliation with his family by a royal commentator.
The Duke of Sussex had a personal letter in tribute to his late grandfather, Prince Philip, laid at the National Memorial Arboretum following Friday’s VJ Day service attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Harry asked a friend to discreetly place the letter and a wreath at the Burma Star Memorial in Staffordshire, after Their Majesties had departed, in an effort not to distract from official royal commemorations, which marked 80 years since Japan's surrender at the end of the Second World War.
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Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams believed the Duke “clearly sees” his latest move as an overture towards the firm.
Prince Harry's secret tribute to his late grandfather his been deemed a 'clear' move towards reconciliation with the Royal Family
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“It is a touching gesture,” Fitzwilliams said of the letter and wreath.
The commentator applauded the subtle approach to the tribute, adding that: “This was appropriately handled.
“It is clear that Prince Harry was fond of his grandfather,” he said.
The tenderness of the note prompted Fitzwilliams to speculate on the Duke of Sussex’s “regret” that he could not attend the ceremony in person.
The Duke asked a friend to leave a personal VJ Day tribute and wreath at the Burma Star Memorial in Staffordshire
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“If he had not chosen to be in exile he would have played a part in the commemoration.
“That is likely to be a regret especially as it is likely to be the last VJ Day commemoration which veterans will be attending,” the commentator observed.
Harry’s tribute to Prince Philip read: "For me, this anniversary carries an added layer of meaning. My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Pacific campaign.
“He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theatre of war. Today, as I think of him, I think also of each of you, of the shared hardships, the bonds forged, and the legacy you leave."
Harry, who had a close relationship with his late grandfather, was praised for 'touching' and 'appropriately handled' gesture
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The late Duke of Edinburgh served in Royal Navy throughout the Second World War. He was commended in dispatches for his bravery during the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941, later being sent to the Far East.
Prince Philip, husband of the late Queen Elizabeth II, was present in Tokyo Bay for the formal Japanese surrender in September 1945.
While Fitzwilliams celebrated Prince Harry’s dedication to his grandfather, he also warned the Royal Family may still have misgivings about the Duke of Sussex’s last months of Philip’s life.
“The Royal Family is not likely to forget that the Sussexes destructive Oprah interview went ahead during Prince Philip’s final illness,” he said.
The Duke's tribute was part of a lengthy address to those who served in World War Two
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s in-depth interview with the US talk show icon broached sensitive topics surrounding the couple’s exit from royal life the previous year.
Their interview was broadcast in the UK on March 8, 2021. Prince Philip died April 9 aged 99 at Windsor Castle.
The Duke of Sussex was understood to be close to his late grandfather before he died, and previously described him as "a man of service, honour and great humour".
Prince Harry's tribute to his late grandfather formed part of a lengthy statement, signed by the Duke, in which he thanked the those who served or their sacrifice for the freedom of future generations.