Meghan Markle and Archie talked to Queen before Prince Philip's funeral as royal family works at healing rift
After Prince Harry traveled back to the United States, missing Queen Elizabeth's 95th birthday and without fully resolving the growing rift between him and his family members, it was reported that Meghan Markle and the couple's son, Archie, had spoken to the monarch before Prince Philip was laid to rest on April 17.
The Duke of Sussex returned home to California from London on April 20, meeting only once with his father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William following the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral. According to Daily Mail, his chauffeur-driven MPV was seen leaving the private terminal at LAX, which is reserved for celebrities. The vehicle was spotted again arriving at the Montecito mansion he shares with the Duchess of Sussex.
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'Meghan and Archie also spoke with the Queen'
Although Meghan was unable to travel to the UK to attend the duke's funeral, given her advanced stage of pregnancy, she did reach out to the recently widowed queen and offer her respects. The monarch's great-grandson, Archie, too joined in. "Meghan spoke with Harry before his grandfather's funeral," a source told People magazine in this week's issue. "Meghan and Archie also spoke with the Queen earlier this week."
Before attending the funeral, Harry spent several days quarantining at Frogmore cottage, during which he received regular calls from his concerned wife, who badly wanted to be there to support her husband. The source told the publication: "Meghan and Harry have been in touch every day. She knows the trip to England has been difficult for Harry. He didn't want to leave Meghan and Archie alone. Meghan has insisted to him every day though that they are fine. She hasn't wanted him to worry."
In February, Harry said that the family of three had been doing video calls with the Queen and Prince Philip amid the pandemic. "Both my grandparents do Zoom," Harry told James Corden. "They've seen Archie running around." Another royal insider told People the past year had been a "very difficult time" for the royal family, and Philip's death only made it worse. "It has been a very difficult time," the source said. "The Duke was the head of the family, and if there were any time they were going to come together, it's now."
Harry and William's 'baby steps'
Following the funeral on Saturday, the royal brothers took "baby steps" toward healing their relationship as they walked back to Windsor Castle from St George's Chapel together. Following the service, William and Harry briefly walked together before speaking to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
This happened after the Queen was escorted to her ride, being the first one to leave the chapel. After that, the rest of the guests slowly made their way out of the funeral venue. As they made their way out of the chapel, Harry was seen chatting with Kate Middleton as William walked a few paces ahead. However, the Duchess of Cambridge stepped away and let the two reportedly feuding brothers exchange a few words. It seemed like she was playing mediator.
Later there was a face-to-face meeting within the grounds of the castle between the brothers and their father Prince Charles. However, instead of meeting with Harry one-on-one, Charles and William preferred to meet with Harry together so that nobody's words could be misconstrued afterward, Daily Mail's Dan Wootton revealed. William and Harry are unlikely to meet again before July, when they are due to unveil a statue in honor of their late mother, Princess Diana. "They've had massive input," a palace source said. "It's their project."