Queen Elizabeth usually takes her annual winter break a few days before Christmas until February 6 to spend time with the royal family. Her Majesty is also in her 90s. So, she needs to take a break to relax and focus more on herself and her health.
However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle started the year with a shocking announcement. Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they would be stepping down as senior royals to focus on their family and charities. The couple said that they want to be “financially independent” and that they plan to live part-time in the U.S. and the U.K.
Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s announcement was a huge deal in the royal family household, Queen Elizabeth was left with no choice but to cut her winter break short. Her Majesty, then, summoned the main members of the royal family to discuss the matter.
“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family,” the Buckingham Palace statement read. “My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
The statement revealed that Queen Elizabeth supports Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision. But, she did point out that the process is complex so the final decisions will be “reached in the coming days.”
The Buckingham Palace is expected to release more information regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's withdrawal soon.
After dealing with the stressful matter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s announcement, Queen Elizabeth may finally resume her winter break. Unfortunately, Her Majesty had a “slight cold” last week.
Queen Elizabeth was set to visit the Sandringham branch of the Women's Institute in Norfolk, but she was forced to pull out of the engagement. This annual event is very important for the Queen as she attended these meetings since 1943. However, this time she was prohibited to go.
A member of Queen Elizabeth’s security said that the monarch caught a cold and it quickly sparked health concerns. But the palace reassured that Her Majesty is not suffering from anything serious. "No cause for alarm, I am assured,” royal expert Rebecca English wrote.
