Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to split from the royal family may mean the Queen never meets their second child, royal experts are suggesting.
In a statement on Saturday, Buckingham Palace said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen" that they wouldn't be returning as working members of the royal family. After their dramatic departure last January, a 12-month review of the arrangement was agreed to.
With the pair likely to continue to base themselves in California, where they currently reside, questions are now being raised as to whether their expected second child will ever meet the Queen. Harry and Meghan announced the pregnancy last week.
Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, royal expert and historian Victoria Howard said that is a possibility.
"That baby might be born without ever really meeting its great-grandparents which I think is something particularly sad about this situation. Archie growing up without that side of the family and the second baby potentially too."
Phil Dampier, who has written about the royal family for decades, told The Daily Mail following news of the pregnancy that the monarch may never meet the new child. The media outlet made note that the Queen will turn 95 in April, while Prince Philip, who is currently in hospital, is four months off turning 100.
"The Queen is very family orientated and loves seeing her great-grandchildren. I think it will be very, very sad if they [the Queen and Prince Philip] never see the baby in person," he said.
He recognised the COVID-19 pandemic has limited travel, but it "underlines the difficulties of Megxit".
The child, who would have American citizenship if born in the US, will be eighth in line to the British throne.
