Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has not joined her husband, Prince Harry, on his return to London to attend the funeral of Prince Philip but a friend said that Queen Elizabeth understands her absence.
The friend told Daily Mail that Queen Elizabeth would expect Meghan to "stay safe and healthy for the baby" and their relationship won't change because of this. Meghan was advised not to travel from California to London as she's pregnant with her second baby. Due to her age and her previous miscarriage, the doctor said that she must stay put at home and wait for the baby's birth in the summer.
Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, also insisted that her daughter should rather support Harry "from afar." The friend said that, as much as the Meghan adored Philip and has a "special bond" with her husband's grandfather, the last thing the Duchess of Sussex needs is stress from the travel.
Harry returned home to London two days after Philip's death was confirmed. The Duke of Sussex has been living in the United States with Meghan for a year but once said that he could have flown home earlier if not for the coronavirus pandemic.
The royal grandson is currently observing quarantine at Frogmore Cottage, his home near Windsor Castle. Earlier, there were reports that he would stay at Nottingham Cottage near Kensington Palace, where Prince William lives.
Harry is not yet allowed to see members of the royal family, especially Queen Elizabeth, because of the health risks as he traveled commercial with British Airways. He will likely be face-to-face with his family for the first time on the day of the funeral on Saturday, April 17.
Meanwhile, sources also said that Meghan has personally spoken with the queen to express her sympathies. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have also prepared a tribute to Philip on their Archewell website, which has been updated to include Harry's statement.
Meghan has said in her interview with Oprah Winfrey that Queen Elizabeth has always treated her well. She said that she enjoyed the company of the monarch, despite her brief stint as a working royal, because the queen reminded her of her own grandmother.
The Duchess of Sussex admitted that she was naive about the royal family when she married Harry and didn't realize that protocols had to observed in private as well. She said, however, that when she learned of Philip's hospitalization, she phoned Queen Elizabeth right away and did not wait for Harry to wake up or to follow protocols.
