Pregnant Meghan Markle Will Make 'Private Arrangements' In Order To Honor Prince Philip

Apr 16, 2021 by apost team

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s wife, will not attend Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday due to the danger of traveling while pregnant during the current coronavirus pandemic. Harry, on the other hand, left the couple’s new Montecito home and flew into London Heathrow last Sunday, according to Metro. For those who can’t make it to the funeral, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday that “private arrangements” will be made, including a special live stream, according to The Sun.

On Friday, April 9, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away at the age of 99 years old. Not long before his death, Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved husband was discharged from the hospital after spending several days there due to complications with an infection. Prince Philip's infection was reportedly not due to coronavirus, as he and the queen were vaccinated in January of this year, as the BBC reports. Philip's passing ends his reign as the longest-serving royal consort, having served alongside the queen for 65 years and having been married to the monarch for 73 years in total.

Saturday's funeral will be unusual in several regards. Not only will Markle not be able to attend due to the pandemic, but SkyNews also reports that only 30 guests will be in attendance — a much smaller number, considering 800 people were set to attend had the funeral taken place before the pandemic. Prominent guests, like Prime Minister Boris Johnson, will not be able to attend. The royal family, which has urged people not to show up to the residence, will also forego the funeral’s public procession.

While Harry is able to make it to Saturday's funeral, which will take place at a private chapel in Windsor Castle, Markle did not receive medical clearance to fly, according to Insider. Markle is due to give birth to the couple’s second child, a girl, in the summer.

According to E!Online, a source revealed that Markle most certainly would have attended the funeral, had it not been too risky for her pregnancy. The source said:

"Meghan wishes she could have flown to the U.K. to support her husband but has been advised not to due to her pregnancy. She would have put all the family tension aside to be there with Harry."

PEOPLE has reported that even the queen understands why Markle will not be able to attend. According to PEOPLE, the source said:

 "Meghan expressed condolences. The queen understands why she can't travel at the moment."

It's not a surprise that the queen, a mother herself, has been so understanding that Markle and Harry will be prioritizing the health of their future child first. The E!Online source also confirmed that the decision was in line with Markle and Harry's latest priorities, as the two "have been focused on their new roots in Montecito and the pregnancy."

With that said, Markle’s announcement comes at a time when tensions are running high in the royal family after she and Harry openly criticized the royal family and its culture in an Oprah Winfrey interview in March.

The March interview was scheduled in light of another controversy — Harry and Markle’s decision to move to California and step back as senior royals, officially losing their titles.

apost.com

In another move that will likely see more speculation and controversy regarding the royal family’s internal affairs, the palace announced that members of the royal family will not be wearing military dress at the funeral, defying years of tradition. The decision is thought to spare Harry — who was stripped of his military titles and cannot wear official military dress — the embarrassment of being the only senior royal in civilian clothing. Harry and his brother Prince William will also walk separately during the funeral procession, with cousin Peter Phillips standing between the two.

The Guardian reports that Princess Anne and Prince Charles will be at the head of the funerary procession on Saturday, leading family members behind the coffin during its 8-minute long journey from the castle to St. George’s Chapel. Prince Andrew and Prince Edward will be flanked by William, Harry and cousin Phillips.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson refused to respond to the public’s “perceptions of drama” regarding Thursday’s decision, according to The Guardian. “The arrangements have been agreed, and they represent Her Majesty’s wishes,” a palace spokesperson is quoted as saying.

Buckingham Palace’s statement regarding the royal family’s decision to break from the tradition of wearing military dress at public occasions was similarly brief and to-the-point.

“Members of the royal family will be wearing morning coat with medals or day dress. That’s to say members of the royal family will not be in military uniform,” a spokesperson said, according to The Guardian.

The same spokesperson would not speak to the details or reasons behind the decision, having simply replied, “All arrangements have been signed off by Her Majesty.”

What do you think about this news? Will you watch the funeral? Let us know — and be sure to pass this interesting information on to your friends and family members.