Living far away from family is never easy. That's why I can only empathize with Prince Harry, who got really worried when he heard that his grandmother the Queen had spent a night in hospital.
A source tells Us Weekly that the Duke of Sussex went into "panic mode" upon the news reaching him, and is hoping to make it to the UK sooner rather than later to be near his grandma.
"He felt helpless being 5,000 miles away in Montecito, [California,] and has been checking in non-stop with her," the source adds. The duke "feels guilty about not saying goodbye" to his grandfather Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, and is scared of a repeat with Queen Elizabeth, who is 95.
"[He] would never forgive himself if the same thing happened with his beloved grandmother," the source continues. To avoid it, he is "hoping to go back home for Christmas with Meghan, if not before so that she can finally get to meet Lilibet and see Archie again." It was previously reported that the Sussexes might make the journey to England for Christmas, though one royal expert was dubious.
The Queen's night in hospital came after she was advised to rest and cancel her planned trip to Northern Ireland. The monarch also pulled out of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, which starts on Oct. 31, but resumed key royal duties by meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, according to Express.
Prince Harry hasn't returned to the UK since July, when he attended the unveiling of a statue of his mother, Princess Diana. His wife, Meghan Markle, hasn't been back since the couple stepped down from their royal duties in March 2020. Their daughter Lilibet was born in California in June and has yet to meet any of her British relatives in person.
RELATED STORIES
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
21 Spring Essentials in Madewell, Banana Republic, and Shopbop's Flash Sales
Don’t let these can’t-miss sales pass you by.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
'Shōgun' Is a Masterpiece—Will There Be More Episodes?
With those ratings, never say never.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
32 Child Stars Who Have Aged Like Fine Wine
They made the notoriously bumpy transition to adulthood look easy.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Meghan Markle’s New Podcast with Lemonada Media Is Reportedly Delayed “Until Next Year At the Earliest”
There’s a reason for the holdup.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Melissa McCarthy Defends Meghan Markle From Critics Who Are "Threatened" by Her
McCarthy once starred in the duchess' 40th birthday video.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Will Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Appear in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Two New Netflix Series?
Filming for both shows—about polo and cookery—began this month.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Has Changed His Official Residence to the U.S.
Don't make it mean more than it does, k?
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Yes, That’s Meghan Markle’s Calligraphy on American Riviera Orchard’s Logo
Everything having to do with the lifestyle brand seems personal to the Duchess of Sussex.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Cookery Show Begins Filming Today—But Not Where You’d Expect It to Be Shot
The Sussexes are having a busy week this week, shooting both of their his-and-her Netflix shows and rolling out the first product offering for Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand American Riviera Orchard Reveals Its First Product Offering
Fifty samples were sent out in the company’s first limited edition run of the item.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Thinks Prince Harry Is "Making a Big Mistake" in Wanting to Reach Out to William, Kate: Source
She's worried he'll get hurt again.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published