Meghan Markle may not have accompanied Prince Harry to Balmoral out of concern that she would not have been ‘warmly greeted’ by other members of the Royal family, according to BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell.
The Duchess of Sussex is believed to be staying in London tonight after opting against traveling to Scotland with Prince Harry due to a late ‘changing of plans’
Following news of The Queen’s ailing health, a representative for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stated earlier on Thursday that the couple would be traveling to ‘Scotland’ together.
In the subsequent hours, however, contradictory reports suggested that Meghan would not be attending Balmoral.
While it is unclear what prompted the ‘change of plans,’ one royal expert theorizes that it may be owing to concerns that she’might not be too warmly welcomed.’
The BBC’s royal correspondent, Nicholas Witchell, stated on live, “She may not be greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm.”
The Royal Family then acknowledged the Queen’s death at 6.30 p.m. yesterday, with Buckingham Palace stating that she passed away “peacefully” in Balmoral this afternoon.
Prince Harry is thought to have arrived immediately after the announcement at the royal home.
Meghan Markle (seen here with Prince Harry during their recent trip to Dusseldorf) is rumored to be remaining in London tonight after a late ‘changing of plans’ prevented her from traveling to Balmoral with Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle may not have accompanied Prince Harry to Balmoral out of concern that she would not have been ‘warmly greeted’ by other members of the Royal family, according to BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell (shown on the left). In the subsequent hours, conflicting reports suggested that Meghan would not be attending Balmoral. One came from Omid Scobie (shown on the right), a journalist deemed ‘friendly’ by the couple.
Prince Harry holds his head as he heads to Balmoral following the news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
Thursday at 6.30pm, the Queen’s death was confirmed by the Royal Family (pictured: Prince William and Prince Andrew arrive at Balmoral). Prince Harry is thought to have arrived immediately after the announcement at the royal home.
It comes after it was previously reported by the Duke and Duchess of would be flying to ‘Scotland’ together following news of The Queen’s ailing health.
That announcement occurred at 1.38pm – approximately an hour after the Royal Family revealed doctors were ‘concerned’ about The Queen’s health.
But about 4.30pm, sources close to the couple told media that Meghan would not be travelling with Prince Harry to Balmoral.
This was later confirmed by journalist Omid Scobie, who is considered to be ‘friendly’ with the couple.
A chronological account of yesterday’s events surrounding the passing of Queen Elizabeth II
Buckingham Palace issues a statement at 12:35 p.m. announcing that the Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral because doctors are “concerned for her health.”
Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision, according to a Palace spokesperson. The Queen continues to reside in comfort at Balmoral.
Clarence House issues a statement at 12:47 confirming that Prince Charles and his wife Camilla will travel to Balmoral. It states that the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have traveled to Balmoral.
After one minute, Kensington Palace announces that Prince William will fly to Balmoral at 12:48 p.m. Also traveling to Balmoral is the Duke of Cambridge, according to the announcement.
Prince Andrew is reportedly traveling to Balmoral Castle in Scotland after learning that physicians are concerned about The Queen’s health.
The Princess Royal is currently in Balmoral, and the Duke of York, Earl and Countess of Wessex are en route to the Queen’s Scottish residence, according to sources speaking to the Press Association (PA) at 1.38 p.m.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirms that they will “go to Scotland” at 1:55 p.m. While the opening statement mentions Scotland, Balmoral is not specifically mentioned. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were scheduled to attend the WellChild Awards ceremony on Thursday evening in London, but changed their plans to visit the Queen.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly traveling to Balmoral “separately” from other royals, according to a Press Association (PA) news alert issued at 4:14 p.m.
Less than thirty minutes later, at 4.39 p.m., the press office (PA) releases another news alert, citing an anonymous source as indicating that the Duchess of Sussex will not accompany the Duke of Sussex to Balmoral. The source indicates that Prince Harry will travel alone. The Duchess could perhaps join Harry in Scotland at a later date, according to a source, following what PA characterizes as a ‘changing of plans’
4.44pm: Minutes later, Omid Scobie, a journalist seen as ‘friendly’ towards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and who frequently cites anonymous sources close to the couple, tweets about the incident. He writes, “According to a source, only Prince Harry has made the trip to Balmoral.” Like the Duchess of Cambridge (who is currently in Windsor with their three children), the Duchess of Sussex will remain in England (but will not attend tonight’s WellChild Awards).’ The message references Kate, who it was confirmed earlier in the day will not travel to Balmoral. She continues to reside in Windsor to care for George, Charlotte, and Louis.
The Royal Family announced through Twitter at 6.30 p.m. that the Queen passed away “peacefully” at Balmoral at the age of 96.
Prince Harry is believed to have arrived at Balmoral after 6.30pm following the public announcement of the death of the Queen.
Mr. Scobie made a startling connection to the Duchess of Cambridge in a tweet on the social networking website Twitter.
It was already revealed that Kate would remain in Windsor with her three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, who started their new school yesterday.
The Press Association (PA), the leading national news agency in the United Kingdom, announced in a 4.39pm news alert that the Duchess of Sussex would not be traveling to Balmoral with Prince Harry due to a ‘change of plans’
PA confirmed to MailOnline that they were initially informed that the couple would be traveling together, but it was then stated that Harry would be flying to Balmoral alone for “no specific reason.”
It is unclear what the ‘changing of plans’ entailed and whether the Duchess of Sussex was advised by the Royal Family to remain away or voluntarily stayed away, like the Duchess of Cambridge.
A royal analyst speculated that Meghan did not accompany Harry to Balmoral out of concern that she would not be ‘welcomed.’
Nicholas Witchell, a BBC royal correspondent, argued that the Duchess of Sussex did not fly to Scotland because she “may not be warmly received” by other members of the Royal family.
He stated, “She may not be welcomed with open arms, to be completely honest.”
According to sources close to the pair, she may join Harry in Scotland at a later date.
A request for comment has been made to the Archewell Foundation.
Prince Harry, meanwhile, flew to Balmoral this afternoon. It is thought that he arrived at Balmoral immediately after the death of The Queen was revealed.
Following the announcement, the homepage of Harry and Meghan’s Archewell website has been replaced with a blacked-out page that reads, “In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022.”
The duke, who is mourning the loss of his grandmother, is anticipated to attend the Queen’s burial, and Meghan is likely to accompany him.
In 2021, when heavily pregnant with daughter Princess Lilibet, she was unable to attend Philip’s burial.
Yesterday around 6.30 p.m., the official Royal Family Twitter account confirmed Her Majesty’s passing with a tweet.
It stated, “The Queen passed away quietly this afternoon at Balmoral.”
This evening, the King and Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral and will travel to London tomorrow.
This morning, the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, who was seen carrying a briefcase, and his wife took a royal helicopter from Dumfries House to Balmoral. This week, Princess Anne was already at Balmoral following an engagement.
A flight carrying seven members of the Royal family, including Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and the Countess of Wessex, departed RAF Northolt in London at 4:00 p.m. and landed in Aberdeen.
Concerned for Her Majesty’s health, the Duke of Cambridge took the wheel of his Range Rover with his uncles and aunt on board.
This week, Harry and Meghan were not expected to meet with any other members of the Royal Family during their trip from California.
According to ITV News, the pair is coordinating plans with other members of the Royal Family amidst tensions since they stepped down as frontline royals, although they are “traveling independently.”
The last time the Sussexes saw the Queen was during the Platinum Jubilee festivities in June, when they introduced her to their daughter Lilibet, who was called after Her Majesty’s childhood nickname.
The Duchess of Cambridge and her three children are at Windsor.
The Queen’s doctors are concerned about Her Majesty’s health and have urged that she remain under medical monitoring, according to a royal spokesperson. The Queen continues to reside in comfort at Balmoral.
The Royal Family then posted a statement on Twitter at 6.30 p.m. announcing The Queen’s passing. It stated, “The Queen passed away quietly this afternoon at Balmoral.” The King and Queen Consort will spend the night at Balmoral and return to London tomorrow.
Nigel Cawthorne, a royal biographer, stated, “It leads us to believe the situation is much more dire than what we’ve been told.”
Any mention of the Queen’s health is considered uncommon and indicative of a dire situation. It is also noteworthy that her entire immediate family is with her or on the way.
Anxious Britons have already congregated outside the gates of Balmoral to pray and offer their respects for Her Majesty.
In London, over one hundred individuals braved severe rain to gather at the gates of Buckingham Palace as concerns about the Queen’s health grew.
Concerned for the Queen’s health, the Royal Family and their aides board an RAF plane bound for Aberdeen to rush to her side.
Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge, departs Windsor Castle, having remained in England with her three children.
This afternoon, a Royal flight carrying family members, including Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, to Balmoral departs from RAF Northolt in London.
Yesterday, Prince Charles was photographed at a roundtable with members of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. Yesterday, Charles was at Balmoral.
Yesterday, crowds began to assemble at the gates of Buckingham Palace as concerns for the Queen’s health mounted.
People remain at the gates of Buckingham Palace despite the severe rain as the nation awaits word on The Queen’s health.
PM: “The entire nation will be profoundly concerned about Her Majesty.”
Prime Minister Liz Truss stated, “The entire nation will be profoundly troubled by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon.”
‘My sympathies – and the thoughts of everyone across our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time.’
When her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, died in April 2021, just weeks shy of his 100th birthday, Britons were forced to face the truth that her reign had entered its latter years.
She is merely a component of our life… She has been the queen for our entire lives. As news spread outside Buckingham Palace, 66-year-old Maureen Barnett said, “She’s so cool and collected.”
Elizabeth Jackson, also 66, added, “I’ve been concerned since yesterday when I heard she couldn’t attend the Privy Council meeting.”
I hoped that the Scottish air would do her good. This year, the troubles have accelerated. It is pretty unsettling.
The new prime minister, Liz Truss, was handed a note in the House of Commons minutes prior to her announcement of a two-year cap on energy costs.
The Prime Minister, who was sworn in by the Queen in Balmoral on Tuesday, tweeted: “The entire nation will be very troubled by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon.”
At this time, my thoughts, along with those of the entire United Kingdom, are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family.
Along with the rest of the nation, Labour leader Keir Starmer posted: “I am extremely alarmed by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon.” At this time, my thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family, and I join the rest of the United Kingdom in wishing for her speedy recovery.
According to the White House, US President Joe Biden informed the Prime Minister that he and his wife Jill are deeply concerned about the Queen’s health.
During a press briefing, White House national security spokesman John Kirby stated that Vice President Biden receives daily reports on the queen’s condition and highlighted the subject during a conference call on Ukraine with partner leaders.
‘His and the first lady’s thoughts are definitely and squarely with the queen today, and her family,’ said Kirby.
“The president has been briefed this morning and will be updated throughout the day on British news.”
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen praised Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom as a symbol of Europe’s shared history and offered her “thoughts and prayers.”
My prayers and thoughts are with her. And she reflects the complete history of the Europe that is our common home, including our British allies,’ von der Leyen told a news conference in Rotterdam.
In all these years, she has provided us all with stability and confidence. She has demonstrated tremendous courage. In my eyes, she is a legendary figure.