The most heartbreaking 'difficulty' the Queen is facing in the wake of Harry and Meghan's UK exit

The Queen has struggled to cope with this particular aspect of Harry and Meghan's US move

Queen's heartbreaking 'difficulty' over Harry and Meghan exit
(Image credit: Getty)

The Queen has struggled to cope with not seeing Meghan and Harry's second child, Lilibet Diana, following the couple's high-profile US move, a royal expert has claimed. 


The Queen has found it "difficult" to be so far from Meghan and Harry's daughter, whom she has still not met in person. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their second child, Lilibet 'Diana' Mountbatten Windsor, in California last June, but have yet to introduce the royal tot to her British relatives in person. 

The long-distance family dynamic hasn't been easy for Her Majesty, whose husband, Prince Philip, died aged 99 in April. 

While it was initially rumored that a Royal Family reunion was on the cards this December, it was later reported that Meghan and Harry were to stay in the US for Christmas

Prince Harry and Meghan with Archie

Meghan, Harry and baby Archie 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The news is likely to come as a huge disappointment for the Queen, whose 'fragile condition' over the past few months has made it difficult for her to socialize normally. She has also been forced to cancel a series of work engagements, including a two-day-long trip to Northern Ireland and an appearance at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, due to ongoing health issues. Concern for the future of the British monarchy reached a peek in mid-October when it was revealed that the Queen spent a night in hospital to undergo "preliminary investigations." 

Queen's back sprain

The Queen has suffered a series of health issues in recent months 

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor / Getty Images)

Despite these setbacks, it's understood that the 95-year-old remains 'committed' to a traditional Christmas celebration at Sandringham House this year. The festivities, which historically have included a lavish banquet and plenty of gift exchanges, will hopefully distract from the painful absence of the Queen's great-grandchildren

Speaking on the Channel 5 documentary 2021: The Queen’s Terrible Year, royal expert Camilla Tominey shared further insight into how Meghan and Harry's emigration has affected the royal matriarch. 

"I'm sure the Queen was absolutely delighted to hear the news that the Sussexes were expecting a second child," she said. "But it is difficult for the Queen. She has not been able to see Archie. I think the last time she was able to see Archie in the flesh was November 2019." 

As for Lilibet, whose name was inspired by the Queen's childhood moniker, Her Majesty has still not set eyes on her in person. According to Tominey, it's entirely up to Meghan and Harry to initiate a face-to-face meeting. 

"The only way the Queen will be able to see these children is if they come over to the UK," she explained. 

"Maybe she will see them next year when she marks her Platinum Jubilee. We have to wait and see."

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.