Meghan MarkleandPrince Harrywon’t be visitingQueen Elizabethat her Scottish Highlands getaway this year.
Each summer, the 93-year-old monarch heads toBalmoral Castlein Scotland and invites royal family members to spend time with her at the private escape. However, it has emerged that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex won’t be heading there with 4-month-old sonArchiethis season.
Although Meghan has yet to visit the Scottish castle, a royal source says the couple seePrince Harry‘s grandmother regularly given their close proximity to her at Windsor Castle.
“When the Queen is there on a Sunday afternoon, it is afive-minute walk up the hill for tea with Granny. It is gorgeous,” a former palace staffer previously told PEOPLE after Meghan, 38, and Harry, 34, left London for Windsor’s Frogmore Cottage.
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Aside from adjusting to life as new parents, Meghan and Harry have also had a busy summer. Later this month, they’llhead to Africa on a royal tour— their first as a family of three! — and Meghan has also been preparing for theunveiling of the capsule collectionshe has created with pal Misha Nonoo to benefit her patronage Smart Works. The clothing line’s launch next Thursday will mark thenew mom’s official return to royal duties after her maternity leave.
But before heading back to work,Meghan has a personal trip underway. The Duchess of Sussex boarded a commercial flight from London on Friday morning, heading to New York City to see close palSerena Williamsin the US Open final this weekend. She is making the trip without Prince Harry and Archie, who will remain home in Windsor.
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Harry has also been busy launching hisnew eco-friendly tourism initiative, Travalyst, which he kicked off in Amsterdam earlier this week. The work trip away from Meghan and Archie had apersonal benefit for Harry.
“Having spent last night here — I don’t know about you guys, but it was definitely the best night’s sleep I’ve had for the last 4 months!” he joked at the beginning of his speech.
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For more than 150 years, Balmoral has served as a private retreat for the British royals. In the highlands, the royals like to entertain friends, hold dances, picnic and go on shooting parties — all the while battling the nibbling little flies that stalk the heather-covered mountain sides.
It’s not all play for the monarch while she’s away in the Scottish Highlands. She does continue to work, reading her diplomatic papers in the famous “red boxes” that are delivered daily. She also holds audiences and undertakes some public engagements.
source: people.com
