Any member of the royal family who waits for a happy family reunion and reconnects with baby Archie this summer will be deeply disappointed.
While Prince Harry is due to attend Prince Philip’s 100th birthday celebrations and the Color Troop in June, as well as the long-awaited inauguration of a statue in memory of Diana at Kensington Palace in July, a new report says his wife Meghan Markle and son Archie will be staying in California.
However, it is not because of any resentments (of which there are many). Sources told the Daily Mail that she will not attend for “personal and practical” reasons.
There is concern in the family that the couple’s involvement in larger events could harm them, according to the newspaper.
“It must be emphasized that there is still an element of uncertainty about this because of COVID’s unpredictable situation, but the understanding is that the duke will likely return on his own,” said a source. “This is a personal and practical decision for the couple, but it would certainly help the authorities navigate what is likely to be a very complicated situation.”
Another source told the newspaper: “His Majesty made it very clear when they left the UK that Harry and Meghan were still very dear members of their own family and would be most welcome to attend family events. This is still true. In practice, however, this comes with the need for a certain amount of diplomacy. There is still a great distance between Harry and many family members, especially his brother. Nobody wants to repeat the Commonwealth Service. “
At last year’s service, Harry and Meghan looked coldly snubbed by Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton – the first time couples had seen each other since Megxit.
This summer will mark the first time Harry has seen his family since the beginning of March, but they have not brought Archie with them. The family has not seen the child since he was six months old.
“Harry wants to go back to the big birthdays of the Queen and Prince Philip,” a third source told Mail. “But it looks like it will be just him. If Meghan returns, the feeling is that it would overshadow the occasion. People would just be looking at the ‘drama’ of it all. Of course she would be welcome, but the decision not to come would postpone this headache for a while, at least. “
Harry must stay at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, the home he and Meghan have decided to keep as a base in the UK.