Why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex won’t be joining the Royal Family at Balmoral this weekend

Prince Harry
  • The Duke and Duchess of Sussex won’t be heading to Balmoral this weekend.
  • The pair won't be making it to Scotland as Prince Harry already has a prior engagement in London.
  • This follows royal news that the Queen had to interrupt her Balmoral break.

After the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were spotted at Aberdeen airport on Thursday, alongside their children, royal fans speculated whether or not the Sussexes would be joining them.

But unfortunately, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan won’t be joining the Queen, Prince Philip and the Royal Family in Scotland, due to the fact the Duke has a prior engagement.

He’ll be attending the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium this coming Saturday. Prince Harry took over from the Queen as patron of the Rugby Football League in December 2016.

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Prince Harry

Prince Harry is a big fan of rugby and has even been playing since he was a child, so he’ll be a guest of honour at the match between St Helens and Warringron Wolves.

Simon Johnson, Interim Chair of the Rugby Football League confirmed Prince Harry’s attendance, saying: "The Rugby League Challenge Cup Final is established as a special and historic day in the British sporting calendar.

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“It was first contested in 1897, and first staged at Wembley Stadium in 1929 - and we are delighted and honoured that the Duke of Sussex will be attending in his role as Patron of the Rugby Football League.

“We hope His Royal Highness will enjoy seeing the two current best teams in front of a passionate and colourful crowd at Rugby League's showpiece event."

Whilst the Sussexes will be staying in England, Prince William and Duchess Kate are expected to spend the whole weekend at Balmoral, alongside their three children.

Lucy Buglass is a Digital Writer specialising in TV, film and lifestyle content and has written for What's On TV, GoodtoKnow and Whattowatch.com. She's passionate about entertainment and spends most of her free time watching Netflix series, BBC dramas, or going to the cinema to catch the latest film releases. In her spare time, she writes film and television reviews for JumpCut Online and her own blog, Lucy Goes To Hollywood.