William and Harry return to families after death of Queen Elizabeth II | UK news

The Queen’s grandsons, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex, have returned from Balmoral to Windsor to be with their families, where they are expected to remain until the Queen’s state funeral.

Prince Harry left Balmoral castle on Friday morning after the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William left after 1pm.

Harry was seen leaving at about 8.15am on Friday, and is understood to have returned to London and travelled on to his British residence, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

He was not able to reach Balmoral until around 8.30pm on Thursday evening, two hours after the death of his grandmother was announced, after travelling separately from his brother and other relatives.

Both Harry and his wife, Meghan, are expected to stay in the UK to attend the Queen’s state funeral, which is likely to be held on 19 September.

Harry had been nearing the end of a tour of Europe with Meghan and cancelled an appearance in London on Thursday at the WellChild Awards, which honours the brave deeds of seriously ill children, to join his family in Aberdeenshire.

He was seen leaving Balmoral, passing flowers that had been laid in tribute to the late monarch, and later that morning boarding a British Airways flight at Aberdeen International airport, which departed at 10.20am.

It is thought that William was also unable to see his grandmother before she died, although Buckingham Palace has not confirmed the time of death.

Harry and Meghan’s involvement in the funeral has provoked much speculation among commenters that it may be the first time they are reunited with the royal family after several tumultuous years. Some reports have focused on the fact Harry was the last royal to arrive at Balmoral, and the first to leave.

King Charles appeared to reach out to the couple in his address on Friday evening, saying: “I want to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.”

Neither Meghan nor Prince William’s wife, Kate, joined the other members of the royal family in Balmoral, though both are expected to attend the funeral.

On social media, there have been suggestions that the greater criticism of Meghan’s absence than Kate’s, who stayed in Windsor to care for her and William’s children, may be racist.

Harry and Meghan’s Archwell website was turned black shortly after the announcement of the Queen’s death, and carries a tribute to her, stating: “In loving memory of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 1926-2022.”

It is not known when the couple will return to their home in California, where their children remain.

The death of the Queen means that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, is now a prince as he is the grandson, rather than the great-grandson, of a monarch. His younger sister, Lilibet “Lili” Mountbatten-Windsor, is also entitled to be a princess.

Meghan had previously suggested the title was denied to Archie because of his race.