Queen’s reaction to Meghan missing Prince Philip’s funeral

Prince Harry returned to the United Kingdom to quarantine ahead of his grandfather, Prince Philip's, funeral. Meghan Markle stayed in California with their son Archie and was noticeably absent from her husband's side.

Despite Meghan's inability to participate in person, a source assured People that she and Harry were “in contact” with Queen Elizabeth after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Meghan Markle's absence from her late husband Prince Philip's funeral service this weekend is okay with Queen Elizabeth II, a source told People.

The California-based source said, “It was always a given that Harry would return to England for his grandfather's passing. Meghan expressed condolences. The Queen understands why she can't travel at the moment.”

The funeral service will be held at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel. Until then, Harry has been isolating in his and Meghan's old Windsor house, Frogmore Cottage, as a precautionary measure owing to the current pandemic's travel restrictions.

Despite the fact that social meeting limits would prohibit citizens from congregating in near vicinity, the funeral will provide an opportunity for certain members of the Royal Family to reunite. Harry and Prince William have been apart after Harry and his wife relocated to the United States. The brothers will not see each other again until the service, which will be the first time since Harry's Oprah interview.

Though there might be certain animosity between other royals, Archie's parents' affection for the Queen was apparent during the infamous CBS show. There's no need to interpret her absence as something other than a precautionary measure to keep her safe in the final days of her pregnancy, particularly after her miscarriage last year. Traveling isn't worth the risk of losing their baby daughter.

Many have hypothesized that the day of mourning would be the ideal “opportunity” for the high-profile family to eventually resolve some of their differences, especially between Harry and Prince William.

Despite Meghan and Harry's “tension” with the royal family, a source told E! News on April 13 that Meghan “wishes” she could attend Prince Philip's funeral. “Meghan wishes she could have flown to the U.K. to support her husband but has been advised not to due to her pregnancy,” the source added. “She would have put all the family tension aside to be there with Harry.” The source also claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex “are still not on amazing terms with the family .”

Prince Philip's funeral takes place a month after Harry and Meghan's Oprah Winfrey interview, in which they accused the royal family and Buckingham Palace of mistreatment. “Look, I was really ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry especially, because I know how much loss he has suffered, but I knew that if I didn't say it, then I would do it. I just didn't want to be alive anymore,” Meghan said of her suicidal feelings whilst in the royal family.