Meghan MarkleandPrince HarryattendedQueen Elizabeth’s funeral without their two children.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were already in Europe for a series of charity events without their kids — sonArchie Harrisonand daughterLilibet “Lili” Diana— when the late monarch died “peacefully” at her beloved Scottish residence, Balmoral Castle, at age 96 on September 8.

The couple stayed in the U.K. in order to attend the funeral on Monday as well as a number of events leading up to the service.

Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1, were also likely deemed too young to join the rest of the family for Monday’s funeral.Prince WilliamandKate Middleton’s eldest children, ​​Prince George, 9, andPrincess Charlotte, 7, took part in theprocessionbehind the Queen’s coffin, but their youngest,Prince Louis, 4, did not attend the ceremony.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth.

The State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II

Meghan, 41, and Harry, whoturned 38on Thursday, made the trip across the pond with their children back in June for theQueen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.

The Duke of Sussex also spoke about his kids spending time with the late monarch in astatementhe released remembering his grandmother.

The Duchess of Sussex, the Queen Consort, Prince George, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte and the Countess of Wessex leaving the Queen’s state funeral.Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty

From left: The Duchess of Sussex, the Queen Consort, Prince George, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte and the Countess of Wessex leaving the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022.

Harry said his memories with his “Granny” ranged from his own childhood to when the Queen met his own children, including Lilibet Diana, who was named after the monarch’s childhood nickname.

“Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings — from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren,” he wrote.

Prince William and Prince Harry.MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty

Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales (L) and Britain’s Prince Harry (C), Duke of Sussex arrive at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19, 2022, for the State Funeral Service for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. - Leaders from around the world will attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The country’s longest-serving monarch, who died aged 96 after 70 years on the throne, will be honoured with a state funeral on Monday morning at Westminster Abbey. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

“Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile,” he concluded. “We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”

Prince Harryarrived at Balmoral Castle in Scotlandon the day of the Queen’s death. He joined other members of the royal family at the royal residence, including fatherKing Charles IIIand brotherPrince William.

Harry and his wife were scheduled to attend the WellChild Awards in London on Thursday before hearing the news of the Queen’s health.

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On September 10, Meghan and Harry joined William and Kate at Windsor Castle toview tributes to the late Queenand greet well-wishers. The Prince of Wales, who invited his brother and sister-in-law to join him and Kate, thought the outing “was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family,” a royal source tells PEOPLE.

The couple were at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday when the late monarch’s coffin arrived from Scotland, and they joined members of the royal family on Wednesday for a service at Westminster Hall after Harry joined his father, brother and other family members in a procession through London.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Sept. 14.Darren Fletcher - WPA Pool/Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex looks on as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is brought into Westminster Hall on September 14, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin is taken in procession on a Gun Carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where she will lay in state until the early morning of her funeral. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III.

On Saturday, the Duke of Sussex also joined his seven cousins in a solemn vigil around the Queen’s coffin.

The Duchess of Sussex arrived at Westminster Abbey for thelate monarch’s state funeralin a car with her husband, who joined his father and other members of the royal family in a procession from Westminster Hall, where the Queen had been lying in state since Wednesday.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth.Christopher Furlong/Getty

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party as it departs Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III.

The late monarch will be buried in in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in a private ceremony. She will be laid to rest besidePrince Philip, her beloved husband of 73 years, and near her sister,Princess Margaret, and her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

source: people.com