Prince William makes first statement since losing his grandmother the Queen

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

Prince William has made his first official statement since the passing of his grandmother, the Queen, on Thursday saying he "knew this day would come". In a short statement posted to Instagram, Wills said that while the world has lost a leader, "I, however, have lost a grandmother". The statement reads: "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." Prince William said the Queen was "by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life." https://www.instagram.com/p/CiVNAiNNzJ1/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=40270a3a-afee-4bfb-9d2c-755275a419b9 The Prince went on to say that he "knew this day would come" but that it would "some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real. " The statement ended with a touching thank you to the Queen. "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, bu always relevant to us all." Related links:

• Former colonies of the Queen want their $400 million diamond back from the Crown Jewels
• Moment new King loses it over proclamation pen tray goes viral
• Day of Queen's funeral will be a bank holiday
• Charles 'told Prince Harry not to bring Meghan Markle to Balmoral to see dying Queen'