Meghan Markle may not be present at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, according former British public affairs official, Shannon Felton Spence who spoke with journalists.
Spence explained that Markle and Prince Harry were already traveling to Europe when Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, but may decide to return home to California before the funeral to join their two friends. the children Archie, 3 years old. and Lilibet, 1.
“Harry will probably stay in the UK until the funeral. I can’t imagine Meghan won’t be there, but again from a human point of view, Meghan was expecting to leave the kids for six days, not weeks, so [it’s] possible. “It can’t be possible.” It’s going to be all the time, “Spence said.
Prince Harry and Markle, who married in 2018, live with their children in Montecito, California. They moved to the United States in 2020 after resigning from their roles as senior working royal officials, a move that led to a rift in the royal family.
The couple allegedly attended the Well Child Awards in London on Thursday night. Prince Harry was expected to give a speech at the event to the charity, which provides aid to seriously ill children and their families.
However, the Duke of Sussex rushed to Balmoral Castle in Scotland to be with the royal family after doctors worried about the queen’s health.
He arrived at Aberdeen airport at 6:46 pm. GMT, 16 minutes after the royal family announced his death at 6:30 pm, according to flight tracking data. Prince Harry’s older brother, Prince William, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie and Prince Andrew flew together to Scotland earlier in the day on a Royal Air Force jet, arriving at 4pm.
Prince Harry was photographed in his car just before 8pm when he arrived at Balmoral Castle. He was seen in photos at the airport on Friday morning on his way back to London.
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He made the trip alone with Markle who stayed in London. Kate Middleton, Prince William’s wife, did not travel to Balmoral to be with her children, Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, 4, on their first day. school.
Along with several others, Spence said he believes the fact that family members have taken separate flights to Balmoral is an indication of the ongoing tension between Prince Harry and Meghan and other members of the royal family. “I think it tells you that Harry was in another car, so through the optics – Harry comes and goes alone – tells you what the relationship was and the tone between the families,” she said. Spence added that he was also saying that Prince Harry was the first to leave.
Also, the two brothers live about half a mile apart in Windsor, with Prince Andrew also living nearby, so it was extraordinary that they flew separately.
Royal expert Eloise Parker said that “The family will happily belittle the ‘feud’ story, given their new, more pressing issues, the enormity of the Queen’s death and the intense scrutiny facing King. Carlo while he settles down “. role.”
She continued: “It is clear that both Harry and William are very committed to very different types of life and priorities right now. There was definitely a sense of alienation, especially considering that he and William were historically such a close unity.” . , they would almost certainly have arrived or left together “.
Parker added: “He has always maintained a loyal little circle around himself and Catherine. It’s hard to see how Harry, who lives more than four thousand miles away and has a very different career path, can be a key part of that circle and vice versa. ”
During his inaugural address to the nation as monarch, King Charles confirmed that Prince William will succeed him upon his death and had given his eldest son the previous title, the Prince of Wales. In the speech, King Charles also appeared to have offered an olive branch to Prince Harry and Markle between divisions in the royal family.
“King Charles went out of his way to express his ‘love for Harry and Meghan as they build their lives overseas.’ It was a touching way to acknowledge his son’s acceptance of his son’s new path in life. , also showing his continued support as a father, “Parker said.
He continued: “Charles’ warm comments paved the way for Harry and Meghan to attend the funeral. I expect they will be there, but their very young children are not expected to be there.”
Spence said he believed Prince William and Middleton’s sons had not yet met Lilibet, but they met Archie before the Sussexes moved to the United States. “They will always be familiar, but the distance, both geographical and emotional, between the siblings seems to be the accepted status quo at the moment.
