Harry skips Queen’s birthday, returns to US the day before

Prince Harry has returned to the United States to reunite with his pregnant wife Meghan Markle and son Archie, The Daily Mail claims.

The 36-year-old royal arrived in the UK just over a week ago to attend his grandfather, Prince Philip's, funeral over the weekend, but it's reported that he boarded an American Airlines flight back to Los Angeles on Tuesday (20.04.21), landing at about 1.30pm local time.

His car was seen leaving the private terminal at LAX minutes after the plane landed, according to the article, and was seen again arriving in Montecito at about 4 p.m.

A black SUV with tinted windows pulls away from the private LAX terminal, according to images reported in the Daily Mail post.

Just the driver and a suit-clad passenger are visible through the car's window, and both are wearing face masks.

Pictures taken show the car turning into a Montecito driveway.

Because of Harry's return to the United States, he will not be present to celebrate his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's 95th birthday on Wednesday, as he had considered.

It had been widely reported that Harry would stay for the Queen's birthday celebrations, but reports now say that he was “conflicted” about the decision and preferred to return home to Meghan.

The prince spent the majority of his time in the United Kingdom in quarantine at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, and will now begin a 10-day isolation period in California, though it is not needed as it is in the United Kingdom.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foreign travelers can have coronavirus testing before leaving and then self-isolate when they return.

California has its own travel policy, requiring travelers and locals to fill out a questionnaire with their contact information upon arrival at LAX.

Travelers should also quarantine, according to the LA rules, but there are exceptions for those traveling for work or urgent family matters.

The Queen's birthday comes during the family's 12-day mourning period after Prince Philip's death, so no official portrait of Her Majesty will be posted.

The Royal family is said to be operating on a “rota basis” to ensure that The Queen does not spend her first birthday without her husband alone.

Ms. Markle, who is expecting a child, did not accompany Harry back to the UK after her doctor advised her not to fly.

Meghan would have attended the funeral if she hadn't been heavily pregnant, according to a source close to the Duchess of Sussex.

“Meghan wishes she could have flown to the UK to support her husband, but she has been advised not to due to her pregnancy,” the source continued. Otherwise, s he would have laid aside all of her family turmoil to be with Harry.

“Harry wants to make sure Meghan and the baby are healthy and not involved in stressful situations.”

Harry's visit to England was his first in more than a year, and he was met with cold welcome and overlooked by senior royals.

Some members of Harry's extended royal family “did not acknowledge him before or during Philip's funeral service.”

The royal fallout followed the Harry revelation to Oprah that he felt trapped by his relatives, whom he accused of being prejudiced against his biracial wife and son Archie.

After the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, he reportedly spent three hours “clearing the air” with his father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William, though he didn't have a one-on-one meeting with either due to fears that what they said might be misconstrued.

At the end of July, Harry is scheduled to travel to the UK to join his brother for the unveiling of a monument to their late mum, Princess Diana.