Prince William Was Ready to Go to New York before Queen's Death – Now He Is Preparing for a 'Hard' Funeral

• Prince William was supposed to travel to the US, as was Prince Harry, but plans changed after the Queen's death.

• "The world lost an extraordinary leader, however, I have lost a grandmother," now Prince William prepares for a "hard" funeral."

Before the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death made headlines worldwide, her grandson, Prince William had plans to travel to the US. Now that he is instead preparing to bury her, the Prince of Wales admitted that it would be "hard."

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, at age 96. The monarch passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Following her death, her eldest son officially became King Charles III.

Her Majesty's grandson, Prince William, also had his title changed as he became known as the Prince of Wales after being formerly known as the Duke of Cambridge.

Per Marie Claire, via The Mirror, the Prince of Wales title is traditionally handed down to the heir to the British throne. The King was previously known as the Prince of Wales, while his wife, Camilla Queen Consort, was referred to as Duchess of Cornwall.

Hours after the Queen's passing, Prince William and his spouse, Kate Middleton's social media accounts were updated to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall (previously, they were Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). However, King Charles has since decided to give the royal couple the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales.

Middleton and Prince William's titles are historical in that the public has not referred to a Prince and Princess of Wales in 25 years – since the passing of Princess Diana. She received the title upon marrying the current King.

This is significant according to royal expert Gareth Russell, who said in an interview with Us Weekly that the titles the royal couple is taking carry "a huge emotional weight."

Russell sincerely trusts that the Prince and Princess of Wales would honor the legacy of the People's Princess with "a real respect."

Since the sovereign's death, Prince William broke his silence to remember his grandmother. Per Fox News, the royal published a message which reads:

"On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader; I have lost a grandmother. I have benefited from 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 the holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives."

Prince William vowed to honor Her Majesty's memory by giving full support to his father, King Charles, during his new reign as Britain's monarch.

The Queen's death came when the Prince of Wales was planning on traveling to the United States but had to change his plans as he now prepares to bury her.

Prince William's Failed Trip to New York

Per Express, the royal had to withdraw from his trip to New York because of the Queen's death. The prince was scheduled to visit the city to attend a summit on September 21, 2022, ahead of the Earthshot Prize Awards.

The event is set to be held in Boston in December 2022 as part of Prince William's initiative to tackle climate change and environmental crises by encouraging technological innovations.

However, the visit to the Big Apple has been canceled, seeing the Royal Family are still in mourning for a further seven days after the Queen's funeral on September 19, 2022.

As the Prince of Wales braces to bid farewell to his beloved grandmother, he told a mourner on September 15, 2022, that laying the monarch to rest would be "hard."

Prince William and his wife greeted mourners outside Norwich Gates of Sandringham House while taking tributes to the late royal matriarch. Bex Neeve of Norfolk country told People:

"William said he thinks Monday will be hard."

Neeve revealed that he had waited for over two hours to meet the royal couple outside Sandringham House, which the Queen privately owned, and had a chance to converse with them.

He divulged that the Princess of Wales said the ordeal had been crushing and that she and her husband appreciated that everyone came to show their support. Neeve noted that Middleton was "emotional," adding she and the prince appeared to be there to "soak up all the love."

The Queen Played a Key Role in Prince William's Life

Prince William and his brother Prince Harry had a special relationship with the monarch, especially after their mother died. Per Metro, the sovereign took her grandsons under her wing following her daughter-in-law's untimely tragic passing.

Prince William delved a bit more into his relationship with his grandmother during an ITV documentary for her 90th birthday.

The royal said that growing up with the presence of Her Majesty in his life has been "incredible" and has enabled him to "explore," "understand," and create his own journey. He added that he appreciated and valued the "protection" he had.

Per the Daily Mail, Prince William paid tribute to the monarch on Instagram. He thanked her for the immense support he showed him throughout his tough times – especially how she made him and his sibling her main priority following the loss of their mother:

"She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life."

The Queen naturally played a motherly role to then 12- and 15-year-old princes William and Harry after their mother was killed in a car accident in Paris in August 1997.

The evening Princess Diana died, her sons stayed with her mother-in-law at Balmoral and were fast asleep when the news came in. The Queen shielded the young royals upon learning the announcement of the princess's death herself shortly after midnight.

Her Majesty reportedly told staff not to say a word about the devastating news to her grandsons, making it clear that they would only be informed the next day, on a Sunday.

The family went to church as usual, but the Queen forbade any mention of Princess Diana's death from the service. After personally breaking the news to the royal brothers, the monarch protected her grandsons from disturbing details about the crash by instructing the staff to hide all the TV sets and radios at Balmoral.

Over the years, the royal matriarch became a maternal figure in the princes' lives as they grew up incredibly close with her. Prince William once said having lost his mother at a young age, it was crucial for him that he had the Queen to look up to and has "appreciated her guidance" throughout his life.

The Prince of Wales admitted that it would take some time before the reality of not having his "Grannie" around sinks in because, at the moment, it still feels surreal.