What did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say about Jane Goodall?
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Jane Goodall. Credit : Mike Coppola/Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have joined the growing list of global figures honoring the memory of Dr. Jane Goodall, who passed away this week at the age of 91.
Goodall, celebrated worldwide for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees and lifelong dedication to conservation, died in Los Angeles from natural causes while on a speaking tour, according to the Jane Goodall Institute.
In a heartfelt message shared with People, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reflected on their personal bond with the renowned primatologist. “Dr. Jane Goodall DBE was not only a scientist and humanitarian, but also a dear friend to us and to our planet,” the couple said. They noted that Goodall’s warmth touched their own family in a unique way, recalling how she cradled their son Archie as a newborn. “Her legacy goes far beyond her public work—she deeply influenced our lives, and we will miss her profoundly.”
Goodall’s ties to the royal family stretched back decades. In 2004, she was named a Dame by then-Prince Charles, now King Charles III. Prince Harry developed his own close relationship with her years later, inviting her to Kensington Palace in 2018 for discussions about their shared environmental concerns. She later visited him at Frogmore Cottage in 2019, where she also met Meghan and baby Archie.
Their friendship produced memorable moments, including a playful “chimpanzee greeting” and an impromptu dance during a Roots & Shoots youth program event at Windsor Castle.
Over the course of her remarkable career, Goodall redefined the way the world understood chimpanzees and, by extension, humanity’s relationship with nature. Her pioneering work in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park revealed the depth of chimpanzee social behavior and changed the field of primatology forever.
The Jane Goodall Institute described her as a scientist who “inspired hope, compassion, and action in countless lives, leaving a permanent imprint on both conservation and human understanding.”
Public tributes have poured in from across the globe. Celebrities and leaders including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Douglas, Maria Shriver, and Hillary Clinton have all expressed their admiration and sorrow at the loss of one of the most influential conservationists of the modern era.
Goodall’s final months were spent doing what she loved most—traveling, lecturing, and advocating for the planet’s future. Her voice and vision now live on in the millions she inspired.
FAQ Section
Q1: Who was Jane Goodall?
A1: Jane Goodall was a world-renowned primatologist and conservationist who revolutionized the study of chimpanzees with her decades-long research in Tanzania.
Q2: How old was Jane Goodall when she died?
A2: She was 91 years old at the time of her passing.
Q3: Where did Jane Goodall die?
A3: Goodall died of natural causes in Los Angeles while on a speaking tour.
Q4: What did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say about Jane Goodall?
A4: In a statement to People, the couple described her as a visionary scientist and close friend, recalling how she even held their son Archie as a newborn.
Q5: What was Jane Goodall’s connection to the royal family?
A5: She was made a Dame by King Charles in 2004, later bonded with Prince Harry over environmental causes, and maintained a close friendship with Harry and Meghan.
Q6: What is Jane Goodall’s legacy?
A6: She transformed primatology, championed wildlife conservation, and inspired global action to protect the planet through her Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots program.
Q7: Which celebrities paid tribute to Jane Goodall?
A7: Public figures including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Maria Shriver, and Hillary Clinton mourned her passing.
