Meghan Markle, Prince Harry 'Unlikely' To Go To Balmoral This Summer

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry should be spending the summer at Balmoral after they reportedly accepted Queen Elizabeth II’s invitation in March. However, an expert said that the plans will not likely push through given the circumstance.

Balmoral, which is the royal residence of the family in Scotland, is reportedly one of Queen Elizabeth’s favorite places. The 94-year-old regularly goes to the location every summer, but she and husband Prince Philip remain locked down at Windsor Castle since engagements have been canceled.

“It seems unlikely that the Sussexes or any member of the royal family will be travelling this summer. The Queen is expected to remain at Windsor Castle for the foreseeable future and it could mean that her traditional summer break in Balmoral might not even take place this year,” online royal expert for Hello! Magazine Danielle Stacey said.

Last year, Markle and Prince Harry were busy adjusting to their life at Frogmore Cottage, their former official residence, after moving out of the Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace. They also weren’t able to join Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral in 2019 during the August Bank Holiday because the Duke of Sussex was at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final as a guest of honor.

Their absence at the Scottish residence last summer was seen as a snub to the Queen’s request, which prompted rumors that there’s a rift between the monarch and Markle and Prince Harry. However, a Harper’s Bazaar source claimed that there was simply a problem with their schedules.

“Given that they were both working through the majority of August it was not something that was scheduled this summer,” the insider added.

Going to the Balmoral has been traditional for the influential family. However, with the current global threat of the highly contagious COVID-19, the Queen has been staying at Windsor Castle, where she will reportedly accomplish works.

This is said to be the longest Queen Elizabeth has been absent from her duties in her 68 years of reign. Trooping the Colour as well as other garden parties are called off while the Buckingham Palace will remain closed for summer.