Queen Elizabeth Removed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle From Her Procession for Commonwealth Day
After all of the frenzy and the drama, we are finally at the end. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are set to embark on their final royal engagement as senior members of the British royal family for Commonwealth Day. For just over a week, the pair have been in the U.K. carrying out their final royal engagements before they step away from the British royal family for good.
For the past several months, the couple has been hiding out in Canada where they’ve been enjoying a quiet life away from the spotlight and constant scrutiny. They’ve been living like normal people, spending quality time as a family and watching their infant son, Archie Harrison grow and explore.
Now, after a hectic final royal schedule, the pair are set to attend Commonwealth Day. However, Queen Elizabeth II just booted them from her processional.
Queen Elizabeth is sensitive to the Sussexes’ plight
Though Prince Harry and Meghan didn’t handle Megxit as smoothly as the queen might have hoped, she is very sensitive and understanding about what they’ve been going through.
“She has a particular sensitivity to what Harry has been going through because of her closeness to Margaret and seeing the same dramas and tensions played out two generations ago,” royal biographer Robert Lacey told People.
In fact, to alleviate some of the awkwardness, the queen invited her grandson and granddaughter-in-law to church service in Windsor on Sunday morning.
“It was a really sweet gesture that the Queen asked them to church,” a source explained to People. “It’s telling in the sense that these two are still her family. And as a family, they all love each other.”
Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s final royal engagement
From the Invictus Games Choir Visit to speaking at a school for International Women’s Day, things have been hectic and intense for the duke and duchess. Now, they are set to embark on their very last royal duty ever.
Queen Elizabeth has requested their presence for the Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9. They will attend the service as president and vice-president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
Despite the Sussexes’ presence at the Commonwealth service, it’s been made clear to them and everyone looking on that they no longer have any real status in the British royal family.
Queen Elizabeth booted Meghan Markle and Prince Harry from her procession for Commonwealth Day
Instead of greeting Queen Elizabeth alongside Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, outside of Westminster Abbey, the Sussexes have been removed from the precessional. Instead, they will be quietly shown to their seats.
“Confirmed: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be part of the Queen’s procession through Westminster Abbey at the start of the Commonwealth Service as they make their final official appearance as senior royals #HarryandMeghan,” Daily Mail’s royal correspondent Rebecca English.
However, this isn’t as petty is it might appear. Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge will also be seated inside without taking part in the processional. It appears that the queen is trying to spare the foursome any undo scrutiny over their interactions.
