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Where are Meghan Markle and Harry now? Duchess could use pregnancy as ‘perfect excuse’ leaving Duke to travel alone

Here's why the Duke of Sussex might have to go alone if Meghan uses her pregnancy as the ‘perfect excuse’

The heartbreaking news of Prince Philip's death has sailed afar... but has it reached Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's ears? On April 9, 2021, The Royal Family announced the passing with a moving statement: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”

As millions mourn the Duke of Edinburgh, many can't help but remember the public outcry over Meghan and Harry's accusations after the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview. The biggest question hovering over minds is: Will the couple fly to the UK to attend the funeral? According to the Palace, “further announcements will be made in due course...” Before we hear the official news, here's a look at where the pair is right now and why the Duke of Sussex might have to go alone if Meghan uses her pregnancy as the ‘perfect excuse’.

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Where are Meghan Markle and Prince Harry now? 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle bid goodbye to their royal home and officially purchased their first home in California back in 2020. After spending a hefty $15.3 million (£11.2 million) for the 18,000 square feet property on five acres of land, the pair moved to Montecito in Santa Barbara. 

Framed by trees including pines and cypresses, the beautiful neighborhood is known for its secluded hillside estates and the house is believed to have a grand total of nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms. The lavish locality has attracted many celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise and Ellen DeGeneres. Their home opens to a private road with a long driveway and large security gates. The two live with their one-year-old son, Archie, but are soon expecting to welcome a newborn for their family of four.

In many videos from their home, a sneak peek of their book collection — including A Photographer's Life; 1990-2005 by Annie Leibovitz, the celebrity photographer who has captured portraits of the Queen, Harry's grandmother — can be seen along with a celestine crystal and a corner of their garden. Ever since they moved there, officers have been called many times to the locality for trespassing activities and “alarm activations”. 

Will the couple release a public statement? 

The news of Prince Philip's death came at about 4 AM California time. It's unclear whether Meghan and Harry knew about the death before it made way to the rest of the world. The two, like the rest of the family, did not release any personal statement immediately and the funeral date is yet to be set. Nonetheless, social media is abuzz with speculations on what the couple would say. 

Both Meghan and Harry are not on social media but they did have an official Instagram handle — sussexroyal — which has not been used since March 30, 2020. In their last post, they wrote, “What’s most important right now is the health and wellbeing of everyone across the globe and finding solutions for the many issues that have presented themselves as a result of this pandemic...” followed by, “While you may not see us here, the work continues.”

The couple's charity website — Archewell — carried a tribute for Prince Philip on its homepage. It read: “In loving memory of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021 Thank you for all your service... you will be greatly missed.” The tribute, however, was not personally signed by Meghan and Harry and they could release a public statement later.

Will Meghan use pregnancy as an excuse to stay back and let Harry fly alone? 

Several experts have expressed fear Meghan could get ‘booed off of the streets’ if she ever sets foot on British soil. In light of those statements, social media users have been wondering if she could use pregnancy as an excuse to stay back. “I think Harry will want to attend and that's fine but not Meghan. She is in the late stages of pregnancy and will be coming to a very hostile and toxic environment. Not worth it but she may come to support Harry as he may not get much support here either,” one reader opined. 

Another said, “I wouldn’t be surprised though if Harry goes alone and use Meghan’s fake pregnancy and COVID as a reason to stay. I wonder if he did and his fam would be able to talk to him without her around...if he would snap back into his senses with her not being around.” A third went on to post, “I hope Meghan has a good Gynea who will ban her from transatlantic travel for the duration of her pregnancy. We have had to watch funerals via Zoom and she can also do the same. Harry can go represent her and Archie.”

Journalist India Willoughby posted, “Self-obsessed Harry and Meghan. Hope they’re banned from the funeral. How can they possibly now go given their outrageous lying attack while Phil was in his final days? Condolences to Her Majesty.” Calling it the perfect excuse, one user wrote, “I imagine Prince Harry will return, unless he insinuates that he isn't allowed, but I suspect Meghan will suddenly be able to use her pregnancy as the perfect excuse not to fly back.”

How many people will be allowed to attend Prince Philip's funeral?

According to royal reporter Omid Scobie, Philip requested not to have a state funeral and his private funeral at St George's Chapel will not be open to the public. “In line with his wishes, Prince Philip will not receive a State Funeral and his body will not be Lying-in-State. Instead, the Duke will lie at Windsor Castle until his funeral in St George's Chapel. Due to pandemic, public have been ‘regretfully requested’ not to attend,” Scobie wrote. 

Vincent McAviney shared the latest press release from Buckingham Palace on plans for HRH the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, which requested members of the public to not gather in crowds and not to gather at Royal Residences.

Talk show host Julia Hartley-Brewer posted, “Question: how many people will be allowed to attend Prince Philip's funeral? The law allows a maximum of 30 people until 21st June. Hundreds of thousands who lost loved ones this past year were banned from saying goodbye as they wanted. Do the royals get special treatment?”

Have COVID-19 travel restrictions been lifted?

The COVID-19 vaccine eligibility will open up to all residents aged over 16 on April 15, 2021. Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, will have to wait until then as they have not publicly revealed if they have been vaccinated yet. According to the CDC, it is safe for Meghan to get vaccinated even during her pregnancy.

On California's COVID site, the message reads, “If you must travel, get tested 1-3 days before travel, and 3-5 days after travel,” adding, “After travel, self-quarantine for 7 days, no matter what your test results were. If you didn’t get tested, self-quarantine for 10 days.”

The UK travel restrictions ask travelers to take a COVID-19 test up to 3 days before departure. The instructions read: “You will need to show a negative test result when you arrive in the UK, including if you are returning home.” Reports also say that countries under the Green arrivals will need to take a pre-departure test as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on or before day two of their arrival back into the UK.