It’s set to take place on 19 September
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly considering flying their two children – Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana – over to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, which is set to take place on 19 September.
To recap, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently in the UK having flown over from Germany (where they were promoting the Invictus Games) last week amid news that Her Majesty’s health had deteriorated. Over the weekend, the couple then joined the newly-appointed Prince and Princess of Wales to meet mourners at Windsor Castle, and this morning Prince Harry released his first official statement since his grandmother’s passing.
Now, the pair are making plans for their family’s attendance at Her Majesty’s funeral service. According to The Telegraph, Harry and Meghan are considering asking her mum, Doria Ragland, to travel with their two children to the UK. Sources close to the Sussexes told the newspaper that the couple are keen to follow protocol over the next week, ensuring that the focus remains firmly on the Queen.
As such, Meghan has delayed the next episode of her Spotify podcast as well as cancelling her planned appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The pair have also announced they will no longer attend the UN General Assembly, which is due to open on Tuesday.
With Her Majesty’s funeral fast approaching, The Telegraph reports that the Duke and Duchess have decided to remain in the UK until then, and hope to bring their children over after having already spent more than a week apart. Three-year-old Archie has only visited the UK a handful of times, whereas one-year-old Lilibet – who is named after her the Queen – visited for the first time earlier this year for the Platinum Jubilee. The Sussex family have lived in California since Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020.
Despite reports, there’s been no official word on whether the young royals will be in attendance for the funeral service, nor has there been any confirmation on whether they will adopt the Prince and Princess titles they are now entitled to.
Back in 2021, Meghan said during an interview with Oprah Winfrey that she and Harry expected Archie’s title – Lilibet was born in June 2021 – to change once Charles ascended the throne.
Under rules established by King George V in 1917, the children and grandchildren of a sovereign have the right to the title of HRH and prince or princess. However, it is yet to be seen whether King Charles III will want a new, slimmed-down monarchy, which could prevent Archie and Lilibet from using their Prince and Princess titles.