Will Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Return To U.K. For Prince Philip’s Funeral?

Prince Harry is determined to fly back to England after his grandfather Prince Philip died, a royal expert has said, but his wife Meghan Markle is unlikely to join him.

Buckingham Palace announced Friday that Duke of Edinburgh passed away at age 99. According to "Finding Freedom" author Omid Scobie, Prince Harry "will do everything he can" to travel to the U.K. for the late royal's funeral, Entertainment Tonight reported.

The royal correspondent noted that the Duke of Sussex was "so close" to his grandfather and Prince Philip's passing would be "a very difficult time for him."

"Not only is he many miles away from his family and the queen... he is also not able to be immediately part of what is going on over here in the U.K. The royal family has gotten used to the sort of digital means of communication and he will no doubt be in touch with the family," Scobie said.

"No doubt his team will be in close communication with Palace officials to find out when that is and if there is going to be enough time for him to arrive here and quarantine. But I imagine he is going to be doing everything he can to be here and pay his respects to his grandfather," the royal biographer continued.

Scobie suggested that Prince Harry may be allowed to forgo the typical 10-day quarantine required of those who enter the country due to "diplomatic circumstances." But the royal correspondent believes Markle, who is pregnant with their second child, won't be joining him.

"Meghan is heavily pregnant at the moment. That makes it very difficult for her to be traveling. Of course with little Archie, an event like this perhaps would not be appropriate," Scobie continued. "I would imagine that there would be a very likely scenario that happens that Harry is over here representing the entire Sussex family."

Scobie added that he thinks it would be "a difficult moment" for the couple because "Meghan would want to be by Harry's side for what will be a very difficult time for him." However, it is expected that she would have to stay behind in California as traveling would be hard for her and 1-year-old Archie attending the funeral "perhaps would not be appropriate," he said.

Prince Harry and Markle penned a short tribute for Prince Philip on their Archewell website immediately after Buckingham Palace broke the news of the late royal's death. The royal couple thanked the Duke of Edinburgh for his service and wrote that he would be "greatly missed."

Buckingham Palace has yet to announce the date of Prince Philip's funeral, which is expected to be closed off from public attendance due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.