Prince Harry and Meghan pay tribute to Jane Goodall: 'She held our son Archie'
They praised the "visionary humanitarian" following her death at 91Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have remembered Jane Goodall following her death at the age of 91.
The renowned British animal rights and conservation advocate and primatologist died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 1, of natural causes, the Jane Goodall Institute said. She was staying in California as part of her speaking tour in the US.
Now, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have recalled their memories of Jane, a world-leading expert on chimpanzees, as they revealed that she held their son Prince Archie when he was a baby.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tribute to Jane Goodall
The royal couple said in a statement: “Dr. Jane Goodall DBE was a visionary humanitarian, scientist, friend to the planet, and friend to us.
“Her commitment to changing lives extends beyond what the world saw, and also to what we personally felt.”
Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, added: “She held our son, Archie, when he was first born, and showered love and care to those who were privileged to know her. She will be deeply missed.”
Prince William pays tribute
Meanwhile, Prince William has also issued a statement. He wrote on social media: “The world has lost an extraordinary voice with the passing of Dame Jane Goodall.
“Her boundless curiosity, compassion and pioneering spirit transformed our understanding of the natural world. She challenged us all to make a difference and inspired me and countless others to work to protect our planet. Jane Goodall made a difference. W.”
The world has lost an extraordinary voice with the passing of Dame Jane Goodall.
Her boundless curiosity, compassion and pioneering spirit transformed our understanding of the natural world. She challenged us all to make a difference and inspired me and countless others to work…
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 2, 2025
Jane Goodall’s death announced
A statement from the Jane Goodall Institute confirmed her death this week.
It read: “The Jane Goodall Institute has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that Dr Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute has passed away due to natural causes.
She held our son, Archie, when he was first born.
“She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.”
Tributes have poured in across the globe, including from many famous faces. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio said on Instagram that Jane was “a true hero for the planet, an inspiration to millions, and a dear friend”.
‘He was very tiny and very sleepy’
In a 2020 interview, Jane opened up about the moment she held a very little Prince Archie, who is now six, when he was just weeks old.
In 2019, Jane met with Prince Harry at a conservation event at Windsor Castle. He also interviewed Jane for the September 2019 issue of British Vogue, which was guest edited by Meghan.
Read more: King Charles shares same deep concerns as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over social media
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jane gushed: “Meghan [Markle] came in to listen with Archie. He was very tiny and very sleepy. Not too pleased to be passed from his mummy.
“I think I was one of the first to cuddle him outside the family.”
She added: “I made Archie do the Queen’s wave, saying, ‘I suppose he’ll have to learn this.’ Harry said, ‘No, he’s not growing up like that.'”
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