Prince Harry is 'laying low' after realizing 'toll' on Queen

Prince Harry is 'laying low' after realizing the 'toll' the Queen endured last year, according to a royal expert. 

• Prince Harry has chosen to keep a 'low' profile after realizing how difficult the past year has been for the Queen, a royal expert has revealed. 
• The Duke of Sussex has 'reflected' and chosen not to criticize the Royal Family for the foreseeable future, having spoken openly against the institution on multiple occasions in the past. 
• In other royal news, Prince Harry cut oldest friend from wedding after snide comment about Meghan.
  

Prince Harry isn't about to stir up controversy any time soon, a royal correspondent has revealed. 

The Duke of Sussex has 'paused and reflected' on the past year's events for the Royal Family, and has reportedly decided against criticizing his British relatives for the foreseeable future. 

The 37-year-old, who now lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, has made multiple negative comments about his experience in the 'Firm' since moving to the US in January 2020—including allegations of racism against Buckingham Palace and claims he inherited 'genetic pain and suffering' from his elders. 

"He's realized how much last year took a toll on his grandmother and doesn’t want to cause any more upset, so is laying low for now," Katie Nicholl told Closer magazine. 

It's no secret that 2021 was wrought with challenges for the Queen, with some insiders even speculating that the last twelve months have been the worst chapter of her reign since her infamous 'annus horribilis' of 1992. 

Her Majesty's husband, Prince Philip, died aged 99 in Windsor Castle in April, bringing a solemn end to the couple's 73-year-long marriage. If that wasn't devastating enough, the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral was held under strict Covid social distancing rules—meaning its guestlist was severely limited. 

The Queen faced heartbreaking grief again in December, when her close friend, Ann FitzRoy Fortune, passed away at the age of 101. The monarch also lost her first cousin, Lady Mary Colman, and her longtime racing friend, Ivor Herbert, last month. 

The Queen's health woes were widely covered in the autumn of 2021, prompting concerns over her ability to continue fulfilling her duties as the Royal Family's matriarch. The 95-year-old was forced to cancel numerous engagements because of an undisclosed illness and was even hospitalized overnight for 'preliminary investigations.' The Queen was also spotted using a walking stick in October—the first time she's whipped out the mobility aid at a public appearance since 2003. 

The Covid-19 pandemic also put a damper on many of the monarch's planned events, including her festive celebrations at Sandringham House in December. The Queen canceled her traditional Christmas lunch and her two-day-long party at the Norfolk estate due to fears over the rising Omicron variant, spending the season at Windsor Castle with Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla instead. 

Along with these grievances and disappointments, the Head of State has also been forced to contend with Prince Andrew's ongoing sex abuse scandal. 

The Duke of York has been accused by Virginia Giuffre of committing 'sexual assault and battery' against her when she was a minor and is currently preparing to face trial in a US civil case later this year. 

The Queen has since stripped Andrew of his military honors and his HRH title and has confirmed that he will be defending himself as a private citizen. The 61-year-old, who is rumored to be holed up at the Royal Lodge with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, has vehemently denied the allegations. 

It remains unclear whether or not Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will return to the UK for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June. 

The Duke of Sussex has reportedly refused to travel to Britain unless the Home Office allows him to pay for his security, after being chased by paparazzi during his last visit to London for Princess Diana's statue unveiling. 

If the couple ends up attending the festivities with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, it will mark their first time in the UK as a family since their high-profile departure. The trip will also see the Royal Family be finally introduced to baby Lilibet, who was born in California last June.