Any royals hoping for a happy family reunion and reconnecting with baby Archie this summer will be sorely disappointed.
While Prince Harry is expected to attend Prince Philip’s 100th birthday celebrations and the Trooping of Colour in June as well as the long-awaited unveiling of a statue in memory of Diana at Kensington Palace in July, a new report says his wife Meghan Markle and son Archie will stay in California.
However, it’s not because of any hard feelings (of which there are said to be many). Sources told the Daily Mail she won’t be attending because of “personal and practical” reasons.
There’s concern by the family that the couple’s involvement with bigger events could detract from them, according to the paper.
“It should be strongly stressed that there is still an element of uncertainty about this because of the unpredictable COVID situation, but the understanding is the duke is more than likely to come back on his own,” a source said. “This is a personal and practical decision by the couple, but it would certainly help officials navigate what is likely to be a fairly tricky situation.”
Another source told the paper: “Her Majesty made very clear when they left the UK that Harry and Meghan were still much loved members of her own family and would be very welcome to attend family events. That still holds true. Practically, however, it comes with the need for a certain amount of diplomacy. There is still a great deal of distance between Harry and many family members, particularly his brother. No one wants a repeat of the Commonwealth Service.”
At the service last year Harry and Meghan appeared to be coldly snubbed by Prince William and wife Kate Middleton – the first time the couples had seen each other since Megxit.
This summer will mark the first time Harry has seen his family since early March, but they didn’t bring Archie with them. The family hasn’t seen the child since he was six months old.
“Harry wants to come back for The Queen and Prince Philip’s big birthdays,” a third source told the Mail. “But it looks likely it will be just him. If Meghan comes back, the feeling is that it would overshadow the occasion. People would only be looking at the ‘drama’ of it all. Of course she would be welcome, but a decision not to come would postpone that headache for a while at least.”
Harry is expected to stay at Frogmore Cottage at Windsor, the home he and Meghan decided to keep as a UK base.