Why Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Not Going To Balmoral Doesn’t Snub Queen Elizabeth

Royal fans were shocked to learn that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had no plans to actually visit Queen Elizabeth at her Balmoral Estate in Scotland before summer comes to an end, and the couple received some criticism over the decision. However, a new expert claims the couple actually Isn't snubbing her Majesty by declining her invitation.

Sources tell The Daily Mail that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had actually never been “expected” to go to Balmoral in the first place because unlike other members of the royal family, they see the Queen and Prince Philip more often during the rest of the year because of their residence at Frogmore Cottage. The Queen spends most weekends at Windsor Castle, which is just a half-mile from their home, so they tend to see her then.

In addition, the couple has been keeping busy with work all summer (Markle has officially been on maternity leave but still has worked quietly behind-the-scenes), and the number of projects they have lined up for the next few weeks is keeping them from making a visit.

“They have had a very busy working summer. A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes for the duke’s Travalyst initiative, which was launched this week, and the duchess’s Smart Works fashion project which launches next Thursday,” a source told the publication. “They were back having meetings at Kensington Palace from early August with just two short breaks in between and are bust preparing for the official trip to Africa which starts this month.”

Initial claims stated that the pair claimed they felt their son, Archie Harrison, was too young to go to Balmoral, but that it was likely due to Markle’s opposition to hunting—and the Queen was upset they had rejected the invite.

“Harry and Meghan had no plans to go to Balmoral this summer as they felt Archie was too young,” a source previously said. “It’s a bit odd, as his age didn’t stop them taking him to Ibiza for a week and then to see Elton John in France.”

“If they want privacy or protection—which was Harry’s excuse for taking private jets—there is no more protected or private holiday destination than the Queen’s Scottish home,” the source continued. “It’s all very hunting, shooting, fishing up at Balmoral, so maybe that put Meghan off. She has never been to Balmoral and the Queen was disappointed they’re not going.”