Meghan And Harry Finally Make A Decision About Prince Philip's Upcoming Memorial Service
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship has stirred the pot, so to speak, both in the U.K. and across the pond in the U.S., and the couple naturally stirred it further when they left the royal family in January 2020. However, their absence doesn't mean the royal family has stopped functioning. Prince William and Kate Middleton have stepped up into a "higher role" since Harry and Meghan left the U.K., per Marie Claire, and Queen Elizabeth's health has been called into question as of late.
Of course, Prince Philip's death also succeeded the Sussex's exit. Philip, Elizabeth's husband and Harry's grandfather, died on April 9, 2021. According to the BBC, Philip was 99 years old at the time of his death, and while tensions have remained high between the royal family and Harry and Meghan even since his death, we may now have more of a clue as to whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend his upcoming memorial service.
Prince Philip's ceremony comes nearly a year after his death
Prince Philip stood next to Queen Elizabeth from the moment she ascended to the British throne until his death in April 2021, but Meghan Markle and Prince Harry won't be standing in solidarity with him at his upcoming memorial. According to Page Six, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex won't be in attendance of the memorial, which is set for March 29 at Westminster Abbey, due to security concerns.
"The duke will not be returning to the U.K. in late March, but hopes to visit his grandmother as soon as possible," a royal source exclusively told Page Six. As explained by The Independent, Harry recently initiated a "court fight against Home Office" because he and Markle no longer have special police protection when in the U.K. This, of course, could be a leading reason why he hasn't been returning to his home nation much since moving his family to California.
The Sussex's second child, Lilibet Diana, who succeeded Archie, hasn't met the royal family yet, but Page Six notes that many expected this memorial to be the perfect time to finally introduce her. Unfortunately, this won't happen, and Harry won't get to say his final goodbye to his grandfather.