- Prince William released his first statement on the death of Queen Elizabeth II Saturday.
- The new Prince of Wales wrote that he feels "incredibly grateful" as he grieves his grandmother.
Prince William released his first statement since the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
The Queen passed away Thursday afternoon at her Scottish summer home of Balmoral. She was 96.
In a statement shared on the new Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account, William wrote that he feels "incredibly grateful" even as he mourns the loss of his grandmother, who he called "Grannie."
"On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign," the prince's statement reads.
He continued: "I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives."
William also wrote that the Queen was "by my side" at his happiest and saddest moments, and that he will "honor her memory" by supporting his father, King Charles III.
"I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real," William wrote. "I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all."
The royal concluded with a quote from the Queen: "My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen."
Representatives for the Prince and Princess of Wales did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Ahead of the Queen's death on Thursday, Buckingham Palace said her doctors were concerned about her health and recommended that she remain under medical supervision. Members of the royal family, including King Charles III, traveled to Balmoral Castle in Scotland to be with her.
King Charles III paid tribute to his mother in a statement, writing, "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms, and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."
He added: "During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also paid tribute by writing "In Loving Memory of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" in a brief statement on their official Archwell organization.