Australian war widow Daphne Dunne – who kissed and cuddled Prince Harry during his royal visits – dies aged 99 just days after receiving a birthday card from him and Meghan
Australian war widow Daphne Dunne – who kissed and cuddled Prince Harry during his royal visits – has died aged 99 just days after receiving a birthday card from the Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle.
Ms Dunne’s daughter revealed on her mother’s birthday last week that she had been suffering from a serious illness but that the royals had helped her during difficult times.
She was known for kissing and cuddling the Duke of Sussex during his visits to Sydney on royal tours.
In 2018 she met Prince Harry’s new wife Meghan Markle outside the Sydney Opera House.
On Friday Daphne appeared on the Today Show where reporters read out Prince Harry’s message live on air.
When Harry met Daphne: Prince Harry meets war widow Daphne Dunne, then 98, outside Sydney Opera House. She received a personalised card from him for her 99th birthday
‘Dear Daphne, my wife and I send our warmest wishes to you on the occasion of your 99th birthday on Friday,’ the card read.
‘We hope you have a wonderful celebration surrounded by family and friends and that you’ve managed to escape 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.’
Ms Dunne’s daughter said on Friday: ‘Meghan and Harry have gotten mum through this terrible illness she’s had.’
‘She’s still very unwell and I think the card they’ve sent means so much. I think it will be the thing that gets her through.’
Prince Harry introduced Meghan to Daphne Dunne during the couple’s royal tour of Australia in 2018