Royal Family Gathers as Queen Elizabeth II Passes Away: Meghan Markle Absent from Balmoral

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has brought the royal family together in a time of mourning.

Among those who rushed to be by her side was Prince Harry, her grandson.

Initially, it was reported that Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, would accompany him to Scotland.

However, she ultimately did not go, and an insider has shed light on her absence.

According to a source exclusively shared with InTouch on Thursday, September 8th, only direct family members were allowed, and Meghan was not welcomed at Balmoral due to her history with the royal family.

Royal expert Katie Nicholl reveals that Meghan was not extended an invitation to join the family at the estate.

While Prince Harry was encouraged to be present, he unfortunately could not make it in time to see his grandmother, as explained by Nicholl.

It is worth noting that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was not invited to join the family this time.

However, Nicholl mentions that Meghan expressed her intention to visit Balmoral at another time.

It is quite significant that Prince Harry made the journey alone, without his wife, to be with his family.

Prior to the Queen's passing, Harry and Meghan had plans to attend the Wellchild Awards in London.

However, they canceled their appearance after news of Queen Elizabeth's declining health.

The Duke then flew solo from London to Scotland, with photos capturing his somber demeanor as he arrived at the Queen's Balmoral home, partially concealing his face with his hand.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II will undoubtedly be particularly difficult for Prince Harry, whose relationship with the royal family has faced strains in recent years, as noted by Karl Stefanovic on the Today Show.

As news of the Queen's passing broke in Australia early Friday morning, Stefanovic observed the Queen's children and grandson Prince William making their way to Balmoral to bid their final farewells.

Co-host Alison Langdon mentioned that the Duke of Sussex was not present during his beloved grandmother's passing.

Stefanovic, viewing a photo of Harry arriving at the Scottish estate, remarked on his solitude, pointing out Meghan's absence.

He acknowledged the challenging nature of losing a family member and suggested it would be even more difficult for Harry.

Stefanovic did not elaborate further, likely out of respect for the memory of Her Majesty.

However, his comment about the loss being doubly difficult could refer to Harry not being with the Queen at the time of her death.

King Charles III, his wife Camilla, the Queen consort, and Princess Anne were already in Scotland for prior commitments.

Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Sussex, also arrived earlier in the day.

It remains unconfirmed which family members were with the Queen during her final moments.

Meanwhile, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, did not accompany her husband as she was seen in Windsor picking up their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, from school.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall were previously seen attending a school event with their children.

According to Katie Nicholl, the arrival photos of the immediate family members at Balmoral speak volumes about their emotions.

“This is a family in mourning now, and of course, the Queen was a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother,” Nicholl emphasizes.

As the royal family gathers to mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, the absence of Meghan Markle at Balmoral adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship between Harry and the royal family.