Future King William Called Queen ‘Gary’ ‘Gran’ — His Relationship with Her Differed from Harry’s

Queen Elizabeth II adored both her grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry. However, both princes had a unique relationship with their beloved grandmother. Hence it must have been devastating for the Duke of Cambridge not to see the monarch in her last moments.

Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, hurried to see his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in the last hour but unfortunately did not make it on time as she had already passed on.

Sadly, the monarch’s sons, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew, including her daughter-in-law, Sophia, Countess of Wessex, could also see her before she died. They were all traveling with Prince William.

Prince William, Prince Andrew, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Edward, Earl of Wessex arrive to see Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022 in Aberdeen, Scotland ┃Source: Getty Images

Per the Mirror, the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, was informed that the Queen passed away at 4:30 p.m., according to her official spokesman. Truss was told two hours before Buckingham Palace released a statement announcing Her Majesty’s death.

The aircraft carrying the Early and Countess of Wessex, Duke of York, and the Duke of Cambridge landed at Aberdeen airport at 3:50 p.m.

The Royal family arrived in a Range Rover driven by Prince William at Balmoral Castle just after 5 p.m. and 30 minutes after Truss received the news.

ABC News tweeted on Twitter that Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, had arrived at Balmoral Castle “amid concerns over Queen Elizabeth’s health.”

Newsweek reported that the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, was also on his way to see his grandmother at the same time his brother and relatives made their way to the Scottish estate.

After Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen’s health was in a bad state, King Charles, his wife, Camilla, Queen Consort, and sister, Princess Anne, were also reported to be en route to Balmoral.

Buckingham Palace released an official statement at 6:30 p.m. revealing the monarch had passed away. While senior members of the Royal Family failed to bid farewell to the Queen, one can only imagine how they must be feeling, especially Prince William, who doted on his grandmother.

The Queen & Prince William’s Relationship

It turns out he referred to the Queen differently than other citizens. While many people referred to her as ‘Ma’am’ and ‘Your Majesty’ when greeting the royal matriarch, he had special privileges for being her grandson. The prince called the monarch “gran.”

Queen Elizabeth ll pictured with her grandson Prince William watching Trooping of the Color on the balcony at Buckingham Palace on June 14, 2003, London, England ┃Source: Getty Images

When he and his wife, Kate Middleton, visited Windsor Castle to greet the sovereign after the end of their three-day tour of the UK in December 2020, they quickly went to see the Queen, who had been social distancing with her husband, Prince Philip, in Windsor.

They greeted her outside the castle at a social distance, and Prince William could be heard calling out: “Bye, gran.” It has been reported over the years that the Duke had a close relationship with Her Majesty.

When he was a child, he once fell and cried out: “Gary, Gary.” A guest asked the young prince whom he was referring to, and the Queen came and picked him up and explained:

“I’m Gary. He hasn’t learned to say Granny yet.”

Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William and Kate Middleton on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the finale of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations on June 5, 2012 in London, England ┃Source: Getty Images

Years ago, the Duke of Cambridge paid a heartfelt tribute to the monarch for playing a significant role in his life for the ITV documentary, “Our Queen at Ninety,” expressing gratitude:

“Growing up, having this figurehead, having this stability above me has been incredible.”

Prince William said having grown up under the Queen’s leadership allowed him the chance to delve and comprehend what he is supposed to live up to so that he could pursue his own journey. The royal expressed that he is grateful for the protection and values it.

Prince William’s Relationship with the Queen Differed from Prince Harry’s

Apart from being the prince’s doting grandmother, the royal matriarch also played the role of a mentor in her grandson’s life.

As the Duke would succeed his father one day and become King, the monarch helped him prepare for his future role most of his life. Per the Express, Her Majesty began the mentoring process when Prince William was younger.

Prince William and his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II watching a flypast of Spitfire & Hurricane aircraft from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2015 in London, England ┃Source: Getty Images

Royal author Robert Lacey revealed to People that the grandmother and grandson duo had always had a close-knit relationship, adding the Queen took great interest in Prince William.

When the prince was a teen, she spent time with him at Windsor Castle and would have him “open state boxes” and enlighten him about state affairs by going through the documents. “It was William’s constitutional education,” said Lacey.

He also disclosed in his book, “Battle of Brothers,” that the monarch and the prince had weekly Sunday lunches that began in 1995 when he was in a “fragile place.”

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William pictured in the Royal Box at the Royal Albert Hall during the Annual Festival of Remembrance on November 7, 2015 in London, England ┃Source: Getty Images

He was 13 years old and was still adjusting to his new boarding school, Eton College. It was also during a period when his parents split.

The author wrote that the Queen became concerned about her grandson’s “emotional state” and invited him over when the Eton boys went home for the weekend. Because Prince William’s school was closer to Windsor, Lacey revealed that the lunch dates became a “weekly ritual” for the pair.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William at Buckingham Palace on November 28, 2017 in London, United Kingdom ┃Source: Getty Images

According to Lacey, the person behind the tradition was the Queen’s spouse, Prince Philip, who ensured that his wife and grandson formed a special relationship.

The Duke reportedly gave them room to talk business whenever they were all in the same room. Lacey stated the Duke of Edinburgh did not want to “interfere,” mainly because Prince William was the second heir to the British throne.

Notably, the Duke of Cambridge’s relationship with his grandmother differed from the one Prince Harry had with her. Per She Knows.com., the monarch seemed to have a warm, light-hearted connection with the Duke of Sussex.

Queen Elizabeth II and her grandson Prince Harry watch as Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall leave St George’s Chapel following their marriage blessing on April 9, 2005 in Windsor, United Kingdom┃Source: Getty Images

At the same time, she focused on guiding Prince William toward his future as King, and it appeared that both princes had embraced their unique roles in their grandmother’s life.

Lacey noted that the Duke of Cambridge continues to uphold his “leadership” in the manner the Queen taught him. The author also emphasized that the royal brothers differ in terms of personalities, what they are passionate about, and the way they lead their lives.

It appears their grandmother cultivated both relationships that led them on their unique paths – “and one is not better than the other,” said Lacey.