The duchess told her at the time she was "so glad I got to meet you. Harry has told me all about you and your special bond, it's so lovely you came to see us, thank you".<doc-sep>One of Prince Harry's biggest admirers has died shortly after celebrating her 99th birthday. Daphne Dunne's family confirmed on her personal Instagram account that the beloved war widow died in Australia Sunday, just three days after turning 99. "It is with the saddest of hearts that I would like to share the news that our most beloved mum and nanna, Daphne Dunne, passed away peacefully yesterday morning," the family wrote Monday. "She was a truly special lady who will be greatly missed by so many." Daphne Dunne: Prince Harry reunites with 98-year-old war widow, introduces her to Duchess Meghan One of the people she touched was Prince Harry, who formed a special bond with Dunne after connecting over her late husband’s military medals in Sydney in 2015. They crossed paths again in October 2018, when the prince introduced Dunne to his expectant wife, Duchess Meghan. "Oh my goodness, is this Daphne?" Meghan asked. The royals sent Dunne a "lovely message" on her birthday, which the widow said "really made my day." "I wanted to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday, it means a lot and has touched my heart," she wrote on Instagram Friday, along with several pictures of herself surrounded by flowers and gifts in a hospital bed. Related: Newly independent Harry and Meghan launch their own Instagram account Prince Harry and Dunne first met after the royal noticed that she was wearing a Victoria Cross, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed by the British monarch. Dunne told Prince Harry that it had been awarded to her first husband after he died in Papua New Guinea during World War II, and the meeting sparked a friendship that continued over the years during the royal's visits to Australia. During their last meeting, Dunne said she wished Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan "well with the baby on the way and said this is what Harry has been waiting for so long." Dunne shared the memory on Instagram, writing, "She’s just what the Prince needs." Contributing: The Associated Press Related: Prince Harry, Meghan sign book of condolences for New Zealand victims: 'We are with you'<doc-sep>Prince Harry sends 99th birthday card to Australian war widow FREE now and never miss the top Royal stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Daphne Dunne was arguably Australia’s biggest fans of the British Royal Family, and struck a bond with Prince Harry over their many meetings. Her family said she died peacefully on Monday. Just days before, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had sent a birthday card to Daphne’s hospital bed. Related articles How ‘everything changed’ for Kate Middleton after Rose Hanbury ‘feud' Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to perform yoga TOGETHER during birth The card said: “Dear Daphne, my wife and I send our warmest wishes to you on the occasion of your 99th birthday on Friday.” The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed the card simply “Harry and Meghan.” Daphne first met Prince Harry in 2015, and a friendship emerged between them. READ MORE: Meghan Markle birth plan REVEALED - How yoga and chanting will help Royal Baby birth Prince Harry news: Daphne Dunne was arguably Australia’s biggest fans of the British Royal Family Prince Harry news: Daphne said Meghan was “just was the Prince needs” Prince Harry news: Their first meeting in 2015 Most recently, they shared a heartwarming moment as Harry spotted her in the crowd while on tour in Australia and rushed over to her. Harry’s new wife Meghan was with him, and also had the chance to meet Daphne - who gushed about the new Duchess after their meeting. She said Meghan was “just was the Prince needs” while Meghan told her at the time she was "so glad I got to meet you". The Duchess of Sussex added: “Harry has told me all about you and your special bond, it's so lovely you came to see us, thank you.” Prince Harry news: Their second meeting in 2017 Prince Harry news: The pair had an obviously special bond Speaking afterwards, Daphne said: "It was lovely to meet the duchess, Meghan. “Harry is a wonderful man and I'm so happy he had found happiness, they both deserve the absolute world together.” Daphne’s Instagram is full of tributes to the Duke. In one caption of a meeting with Harry, she wrote: “We have a very special friendship.” READ MORE in ROYAL: Meghan Markle turns her back on Royal tradition and shuns the Lindo Wing Prince Harry news: Their most recent meeting in 2018 Prince Harry news: Meeting Meghan Prince Harry news: Daphne’s Instagram is full of tributes to the Duke<doc-sep>Prince Harry penned a touching message to his Australian superfan Daphne Dunne just days before her death. Photo: Getty Images Prince Harry is said to be ‘deeply saddened’ by the loss of his beloved fan Daphne Dunne, who sadly passed away at the age of 99. The Duke of Sussex is said to be planning a special tribute and will be taking the time to send a note to express his condolences to the family of the war widow in Sydney, according to reports. Just days ago, Harry surprised his number one fan with a touching message on her 99th birthday. The war widow stole Harry’s heart on a number visits Down Under, most recently when he and wife Meghan Markle greeted her among crowds of thousands during their royal tour last October. But the popular prince has proved he’s not one to easily forget – penning his friend a touching letter just in time to celebrate her milestone. “Dear Daphne, my wife and I send our warmest wishes to you on the occasion of your 99th birthday on Friday,” he wrote. “We hope you have a wonderful celebration surrounded by family and friends and that you’ve managed to escape hospital.” The tribute came after the pair garnered significant media attention across their three meetings, which have all happened during each of Harry’s official visits to Sydney since 2015. Photo: Getty Images The tribute came after the pair garnered significant media attention across their three meetings, which have all happened during each of Harry’s official visits to Sydney since 2015. But despite their obvious bond, Daphne wasn’t expecting anything from the father-to-be ahead of her big day – meaning the personal letter came as even more of a surprise. “He wouldn’t even think of (sending well wishes),” she told the Today show last week. Despite their obvious bond, Daphne wasn’t expecting anything from the father-to-be ahead of her big day – meaning the personal letter came as even more of a surprise. Photo: Getty Images As referenced in his message, Daphne had been in hospital for the past two months battling a severe bout of pneumonia. Sadly, the great-grandmother succumb to the illness on Tuesday, less than a week after her birthday. Got a story tip? Send it to lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or sign up to our daily newsletter here.<doc-sep>
In Sydney last October, Harry was able to introduce Dunne to Meghan Markle Prince Harry 'Saddened' to Learn His Biggest Fan, Daphne Dunne, Has Died at 99 One of Prince Harry‘s biggest admirers has died, according to multiple reports. Daphne Dunne, the longstanding royal fan from Australia, died in her home on Monday, the BBC reported. She was 99. Harry and wife Meghan Markle are planning to write to Dunne’s family, a royal source tells PEOPLE. The couple is “deeply saddened by the news and they are thinking of Daphne’s family at this time,” the source says. prince-harry-daphne-dunne-1 Prince Harry and Daphne Dunne in 2018 | Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty The parents-to-be will send a private letter of condolence and sympathy to the family of the war widow, who Harry, 34, has met regularly when he visits Australia. She was known for wearing her late husband’s military medals when she met the prince. It was only last week that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent Dunne some special wishes on her 99th birthday. On a letter topped with Harry and Meghan’s joint monogram, the message from the prince read: “Dear Daphne, My wife and I send our warmest wishes to you on the occasion of your 99th birthday on Friday. 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.” 775242716PS00001_The_Duke_A Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Daphne Dunne in 2018 | Credit: Samir Hussein / WireImage Dunne met the royal twice before his latest visit to Sydney. They first crossed paths in 2015, when she memorably planted a kiss on Harry’s cheek. Prince Harry Visits Sydney Prince Harry and Daphne Dunne in 2015 | Credit: Dean Lewins - Pool/Getty And in Sydney last October, Harry was able to introduce her to Meghan, 37, his new wife — who had only just revealed she was expecting the couple’s first child.