Prince Harry may no longer live in the United Kingdom, but he still takes care of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“I’m just making sure she’s protected and has the right people around her,” he told Hoda Kotb in a preview of their Wednesday seat, which airs Wednesday.
The interview was conducted at the Invictus Games in 2022, which Harry attended with his wife Megan Markle. Prior to the event, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with the Queen and Prince Charles – marking their first meeting together in more than two years.
“It was great to be with her,” Harry recalls. “It was so nice to see her, you know?”
Queen Elizabeth, who turns 96 on Thursday, has sparked international concern after testing positive for COVID-19 in February. She has since avoided most public appearances, including last weekend’s Easter celebrations.
But Harry said she was doing well and was in a great mood during their conversation.
“She’s in great shape and always has a great sense of humor with me,” he said, smiling when Cott remarked that the Queen “always says” Harry makes her laugh.
Harry and his wife Megan Markle are back in the UK for the 2022 Invictus Games. Getty Images
“Did you do it [make her laugh] Cobt asked, to which Harry replied, “Yes, I did! Megan and I had tea with her. So it was really nice to catch up with her.”
Amid tensions with the royal family, 37-year-old Harry and 40-year-old Markle moved to California in March 2020 and formally relinquished their royal duties the following year. They currently live in Santa Barbara with their son Archie, 2 years old, and daughter Lilibet, 10 months old.
“You know, my home is now, you know, it’s in the United States right now,” he told Cott, 57.
“It simply came to our notice then. We were welcomed with open arms and there is such a great community in Santa Barbara.
He said the queen was “in great shape” when they talked over tea. Getty Images
Harry told the BBC the day before that his conversation with Queen Elizabeth focused on his trip to the Netherlands and the 2022 Invictus Games.
“She had a lot of messages about the UK team, which I have already passed on to most of them,” he told the paper. “So it was great to see her. I’m sure she would be happy to be here if she could. “
While Harry returned home last summer to unveil the Princess Diana Memorial, the trip was Markle’s first visit to Britain since their relocation.
Harry said he and Markle have a “great community in Santa Barbara” where they live. Getty Images
The couple came under control last month for failing to attend Prince Philip’s memorial service – who died last April at the age of 99 – amid continuing tensions with the royal family.
However, many hope the couple’s recent visit to the UK – as well as their presence at the Invictus Games – will help restore public opinion about them across the lake.
Harry’s full interview with Kotb will air on NBC News on Wednesday.
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