Royals will ‘breathe a sigh of relief’ if Meghan Markle and Prince Harry don’t come to Philip’s memorial, expert says
MEMBERS of the Royal Family will “breathe a sigh of relief” if Meghan Markle and Prince Harry don’t make it to Prince Philip’s memorial, a royal expert has said.
Ingrid Seward, Editor in Chief of Majesty Magazine, said the Sussexes’ absence would prevent the spring tribute from turning into the “Harry and Meghan show”.
Palace officials are preparing to honour Prince Philip, who died last April, in a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in the spring.
But it is understood Harry, 37, is not prepared to fly here with Meghan, 40, Archie, two, and seven-month-old Lilibet without armed guards.
Ingrid Seward said: “I think if they choose not to come then everyone will breathe a sigh of relief.
“It is thanks-giving for Prince Philip and we don’t want it turning into the Harry and Meghan show.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they do not feel safe coming to the UK as they are no longer entitled to Met guards since quitting royal duties.
And Harry, now living in the US, is taking the Government to court for refusing to let him pay for police protection.
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Sources say he is pressing ahead with a judicial review – the first time a member of the Royal Family has sued Her Majesty’s government.
Meanwhile, the Queen, 95, has told Harry she will not intervene as security is a government matter.
Royal biographer Phil Dampier said it wouldn’t surprise him if the former royals didn’t return to the UK for the service, suggesting the security issue gives them “a good excuse”.
But he added Harry “might come because it looks good from a PR point of view”.
Mr Dampier said: “He will be criticised if he does come and criticised if he doesn’t – he will look disrespectful to his grandfather who he was very fond of – so Harry may come but I’d be very surprised if Meghan does.”
He added: “In the current climate flying about for one off events isn’t a very good look, I think if [the memorial visit] was combined with a few days and a serious attempt to sit down with his brother and father and try and talk things through, you can see the point, but I don’t get the impression that anyone is ready to heal the rift.”
The service could coincide with Harry’s travels for the Invictus Games this year as well as the Queen’s 96th birthday.
It would also provide the perfect opportunity for the Sussexes to introduce their daughter, Lilibet, to the Royal Family.
Buckingham Palace did not comment.
