When Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle, the world mourned the end of her historic reign.
As members of the royal family rushed to be by her side, one notable absence stirred public curiosity: why wasn’t Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, with Prince Harry at the Queen’s deathbed—especially given that the couple was already in the UK?
Despite widespread speculation, Meghan’s absence appears to have been the result of practical and emotional considerations, rather than a deliberate snub.
Operation London Bridge and the Royal Family’s Movements
The Queen’s death set in motion Operation London Bridge, a decades-old plan outlining the formal process following the monarch’s passing. With her health declining, the family was ready to act swiftly. Then-Prince Charles contacted both his sons to come to Balmoral urgently.
While it was initially announced that both Harry and Meghan would travel, only Harry ultimately made the journey. Meghan remained in London.
A Request from Charles and the Reason Behind It
According to Robert Hardman’s 2024 biography Charles III: New King, New Court, The Inside Story, it was Charles who asked that Meghan not come—not from hostility, but to ease emotional strain. The family was navigating deep divisions, and Charles reportedly hoped to keep the moment focused solely on the Queen.
“He wanted the focus to be on the Queen and nothing else,” Hardman wrote.
Why Kate Middleton Stayed Behind Too
It was originally believed that Catherine, Princess of Wales, had also been told to stay away, which softened the blow for Harry. But Hardman clarified that Kate made the decision herself, opting to remain in Windsor to be with George, Charlotte, and Louis on their first day at Lambrook School.
This explanation was quietly relayed within the family and helped reassure Harry. In Spare, Harry wrote that Kate’s absence brought him “some peace of mind,” making Meghan’s absence feel “less targeted, more about the moment.”
Ongoing Strain Within the Royal Family
Tensions between the Sussexes and the royal family have been well-documented, particularly after their decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and their high-profile Oprah interview in 2021. Though in the UK for charity work at the time of the Queen’s death, Meghan did not accompany Harry to Balmoral, raising further questions.
Harry later revealed in his memoir that he was initially hurt by Meghan’s exclusion but found comfort in understanding the reasoning behind it.
Preserving Peace in a Time of Grief
Ultimately, the decision to limit who was present during the Queen’s final hours seems to have been made to protect the privacy and dignity of the moment. According to a royal insider quoted by The Telegraph in 2023, Charles wanted his mother’s last moments to be “peaceful and focused solely on love and family.”
A Private Farewell Amid Public Loss
While Meghan’s absence may continue to spark debate, the evidence suggests it was a thoughtful choice meant to minimize tension. Harry’s solo journey, Kate’s family-first decision, and Charles’s leadership during that time reflect a royal family striving to preserve unity in the face of personal loss.
As King Charles III leads the monarchy forward, these moments underscore the complex, human realities behind royal protocol and public appearances.