Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Might Be In For Another Tense UK Trip
It wasn't too long ago that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made headlines for stirring things up in the royal family during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Among the moments that stood out were when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seated separately from Prince William and Kate Middleton at the service of Thanksgiving, and the hubbub surrounding a missed photo opp between the monarch and Lilibet Diana when the two finally met.
In the end, Harry and Meghan's trip to the United Kingdom was nothing if not drama-filled. Even their departure got people talking, with the couple and their kids taking a private jet back to California, despite their climate change rhetoric. While no one in the royal family has said anything specifically about tension during the visit, it would come as a surprise if the Sussexes were to head back to the U.K. anytime soon. And yet, according to reports, the Queen herself is extending an invitation to the pair, who are currently engaged in a lawsuit (one of many) over their protection status while in England.
As royal watchers know, Queen Elizabeth spends time each summer at Aberdeenshire Castle in Balmoral, Scotland (via BBC). She'll typically invite other members of the royal family to spend time with her there. Who the 96-year-old is inviting this year may raise some eyebrows.
The Queen has invited Harry and Meghan to her favorite spot
No, it's not that disgraced Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly visiting Queen Elizabeth while she's in Scotland — unless someone else steps into his role first — that will likely have people buzzing (via BBC). Instead, that Her Majesty has extended an olive branch to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry and asked them to visit Balmoral may shock royal watchers.
But as a source at Balmoral confirmed to The U.K. Sun, "Staff have been told to expect the full list of royals including Harry, Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet." Indeed, as the Queen settles into her time at the property — about which Princess Eugenie has said, "I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands" — she may also be getting ready for these truly unexpected visitors (via Hello!).
"They are preparing for the Sussexes," the source added about the staff.
Meghan and Harry are unlikely to accept the Queen's invitation
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not been to Scotland to visit the Queen since 2018 according to The U.K. Sun, which also reports that the monarch will ask Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to stay at the estate this summer when other senior royals are not in residence there.
Hello! confirms that this visit would indeed mark the couple's first time staying at Balmoral since their previous post-wedding trip, and definitely since they left royal life behind in favor of a less public existence in the United States.
Meanwhile, a source also told The Sun that the Queen's invitation would facilitate an opportunity for Harry and Meghan "to spend a little bit of quality time" with the monarch, adding that during her Jubilee celebrations, the family may have spent just 15 minutes with the 96-year-old.
However nice the Queen's offer may be, someone else familiar with the royal family noted about the controversial couple, "I would be stunned if they did turn up."