To the world, Queen Elizabeth II was known as, well, the Queen. But to Prince William and Prince Harry, she was simply their grandmother.
And as it turns out, they had a relatively regular relationship; especially when it came to technology and rules.
According to journalist and former UK politician, Gyles Brandreth’s new book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, Queen Elizabeth had a mobile phone that the younger royals would help her to use.
According to Gyles Brandreth’s new book, Queen Elizabeth did not allow her grandchildren to have phones at the dining table.
(Image: Getty)“She had her own mobile phone, and obliging grandchildren ready to show her how it worked. She understood ‘texting’, though was rather defeated by ‘apps.'”
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However, the Queen had a strict rule that William, Harry or any of her other grandchildren – Peter, Zara, Beatrice, Eugenie, Louise and James – were not allowed to bring mobile phones to dinner, let alone have them on the table.
“And she did not allow her grandchildren to bring their ‘devices’ to the dining table, under any circumstances.”
WATCH: Princess Anne helps the Queen on a Zoom call. Article continues after video.
Queen Elizabeth died, aged 96, on September 8. She peacefully passed away at Balmoral with all of her children by her side.
While the Queen’s most prominent grandchildren, William and Harry, are currently estranged from one another, they both shared touching tributes to their grandmother upon her death.
“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,” William, Prince of Wales, shared.
Estranged brothers, William and Harry were last seen together at their grandmother’s funeral.
(Image: Getty)“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.”
Likewise, Harry, wrote: “Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings – from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my commander-in-chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren.”
“I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed, not just by us but by the world over,” the Duke of Sussex continued.
WATCH: Queen Elizabeth proves she’s a style icon from way back. Article continues after video.
Let’s hope that William and Harry will reconcile their differences during William and Kate’s upcoming visit to the US… Perhaps they can laugh about never being allowed to have their phones out while having dinner with their late grandma.
