Why Princess Catherine and Meghan Markle missed Queen’s vigil

Princess Catherine and Meghan Markle were notably missing from the reunion between Prince William and Prince Harry. Here’s why.

Princess Catherine and Meghan Markle did not join their husbands, Prince William and Prince Harry, at the grandchildren’s vigil to Queen Elizabeth II.

For about 15 minutes, the brothers stood guard over the coffin of the late monarch, flanked by their six cousins.

“The grandchildren, at the King’s invitation, are very keen to pay their respects — just as their parents are doing the evening before,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement before the vigil.

While the extended families of King Charles and his siblings watched on at the Vigil of the Princes, it is understood the eight grandchildren made the collective decision to come together without their spouses.

Harry and William were joined at the vigil by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, daughters of Prince Andrew, as well as Zara Tindall and Peter Philips, children of Princess Anne, and Lady Louise Windsor and James Alexander, Viscount Severn, children of Prince Edward.

Queen’s grandchildren: Prince William Peter Phillips, James, Viscount Severn, Princess Eugenie, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Lady Louise Windsor and Zara Tindall. Picture: AFP

The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex were absent from Westminster Hall, as were Mike Tindall, husband of Zara Tindall, Jack Brooksbank, husband of Princess Eugenie, and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, husband of Princess Beatrice.

Before the vigil of the grandchildren, Princess Catherine welcomed world leaders at a lunch for the governors-general of the Commonwealth.

Camilla, Queen Consort and Catherine, Princess of Wales during a lunch held for governors-general. Picture: Getty Images

The feuding sisters-in-law were said to have remained at their respective homes at Windsor, as they had during the royal family’s mad dash to Balmoral in a last-ditch effort to see the Queen before she died.

While Meghan Markle was first reported to be joining Prince Harry, the couple’s spokesman clarified she would remain in London.

“They have concluded that this isn’t really a moment for Meghan to be there with other close members of the family,” said BBC correspondent Nicholas Witchell.

Princess Catherine, meanwhile, also remained behind to look after Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who had their first full day at school.