Queen Elizabeth II Expected to Step Back from Public Life

Buckingham Palace staff have been called to an urgent meeting, fuelling speculation that Queen Elizabeth II may be stepping back from public life.

The Royal Household and Kensington Palace staff were recalled to a second meeting this afternoon, which could concern an upcoming engagement announcement for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

However, the fact that the meeting is being held at Buckingham Palace could also point to an announcement concerning the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

A source close to the Royal family told the Daily Star that they expected a crucial announcement to be made later today.

While the BBC is on standby having been told to expect Royal news at 5 pm, the source said they had been called to a meeting this morning expecting details of the imminent announcement, but instead found themselves discussing the Queen's plans to spend more time at Windsor Castle.

After Prince Philip retired from public life earlier this year, such a large meeting of Buckingham Palace staff has fuelled speculation the Queen could also be stepping back.

The elderly monarch stepped down as patron of some of her favoured charities in 2016.

She has also made plans to spend more time at Balmoral and Windsor Castle as it has become more difficult for her to keep up with royal duties.

The most telling sign of her desire to step back from the centre of public life came on Remembrance Sunday when Prince Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in her stead.

It was thought the Queen would struggle with walking backwards down the steps after she laid her poppy wreath.

However, the meetings could also point to an engagement announcement between Prince Harry and girlfriend Meghan Markle.

Sources claim Suits actress Meghan moved to London this weekend after quitting her breakout role in the legal drama.

She was spotted strolling through Knightsbridge after a shopping spree earlier this week and has also previously been spotted out with her beau in a number of central London locations.

The star is said to be putting everything on hold to pursue her relationship with Prince Harry.

She is reportedly also set to move her dogs from Toronto to the UK as she settles down with the fifth in line to the throne.