Meghan Markle has broken her silence on Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
“I feel fortunate [to have known her],” the “Suits” alum told Variety in an interview published Wednesday.
“I’m really grateful that I was able to be with my husband, [Prince Harry], to support him, especially during that time,” she continued. “What’s so beautiful is to look at the legacy that his grandmother was able to leave on so many fronts.”
The former actress called Elizabeth “the most shining example of … female leadership,” adding, “I feel deep gratitude to have been able to spend time with her and get to know her.”
She noted that while “it’s been a complicated time,” Harry has remained “ever the optimist” and says, “Now she’s reunited with her husband, [Prince Philip].”

The Duke of Sussex rushed to his grandmother’s bedside on the morning of Sept. 8 after hearing the news that her health was failing, but he arrived hours after she died that afternoon.
Markle, 41, did not join him at the time, as King Charles III reportedly said her presence would not be “right or appropriate.” Instead, she remained in London.
The “Deal or No Deal” alum and Harry honored his late grandmother two days later by joining Prince William and Kate Middleton to greet fans and bring flowers to a memorial outside Windsor Castle in England.
Harry, 37, and Markle’s reunion with the Prince and Princess of Wales, formerly the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, marked the first time the foursome have been publicly spotted tother since March 2020.
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Page Six reported that William, 40, extended the invitation to his brother and sister-in-law despite their family feud.

“We are all very grateful — both sides putting all things aside for the Queen,” a royal source told us exclusively.
While this is the first statement Markle has given about the Queen’s death, she and Harry previously paid tribute to the longest-reigning British monarch by turning their Archewell website dark.

Harry offered his official statement on the Queen’s death on Sept. 12.
“I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed,” he said in part.
The former military pilot and Markle attended the late sovereign’s funeral the following week before heading home.
Harry and the “Archetypes” podcast host — who married in May 2018 and share 4-year-old son Archie and 1-year-old daughter Lilibet — quit their royal duties and moved to California in early 2020.
The couple last saw the Queen during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June when they introduced her to baby Lilibet.