Daphne Dunne, the Australian woman who won over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has passed away at the age of 99, the BBC reports.
The outlet referred to an Instagram account, run by Dunne’s family, whose caption confirmed that she “passed away peacefully yesterday morning.” People also reported her death and cited a royal source who said that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are “deeply saddened by the news and they are thinking of Daphne’s family at this time.”
The full statement from Daphne’s family reads: “It is with the saddest of hearts that I would like to share the news that our most beloved mum and nanna, Daphne Dunne, passed away peacefully yesterday morning. She was a truly special lady who will be greatly missed by so many. The simple act of stopping Daphne in the street and holding her hand meant more to Daphne than anyone could ever imagine.
“We, her family, would like to thank everyone for the love and support they showed Daphne. She spent a large part of her life representing the women of the Australian Army and her two husbands Lt. Albert Crowne VC MM and John Patrick Dunne, ensuring that their service to Australia was never forgotten.
“It is fitting that Daphne passed away on the first of April as it is a month of renewal, remembrance and reunification with her loved ones that passed before her. We love you mum/nanna/Daphne, always and forever.”
The Duke of Sussex and Dunne formed an adorable bond over the course of his three royal visits to Australia.
The pair first met in 2015 while the Royal was on a walkabout near the Sydney Opera House. They reunited in 2017, after Harry “appeared to immediately recognize Dunne and embraced her.”
Their third and final in-person meeting was in October 2018, and Duchess Meghan was by her man’s side for the special moment. 7News Sydney shared the trio’s interaction on video, and their meeting looked so precious.
Just four days prior to Daphne’s passing, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised her with a sweet birthday note.
In a segment for The Today Show, the program helped surprise Dunne with a birthday note that was typed up on official letterhead from Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan:
“Dear Daphne, My wife and I send our warmest wishes to you on the occasion of your 99th birthday on Friday. We hope that you have a wonderful celebration surrounded by family and friends, and that you’ve managed to escape the hospital. Congratulations on reaching this important and impressive milestone before your centenary year next year. Happy birthday, Daphne.”
“Best wishes, Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex”
WATCH: Prince Harry Is Reunited With Daphne Dunne.
