Meghan stays in London as Harry, other family members rush to be with Queen in Balmoral

In the Queen’s final hours, her family members flocked to her side. But some were absent - Meghan Markle among them.

Prince Harry and Meghan rushed to Balmoral. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

In the Queen’s final hours, her family members flocked to her side at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. But some were absent: Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton among them.

Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and other close family members were all either at Balmoral or en route after the news broke that Queen Elizabeth II was under “medical supervision”.

A spokeswoman confirmed Prince Harry, who is staying at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor with and Meghan Markle during their brief European tour, was “travelling to Scotland”.

But is is believed he was still travelling to Her Majesty’s Scottish residence when she passed.

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At about 1am on Friday AEDT a plane touched down at Aberdeen Airport carrying several members of the family, including William.

It was also reported that Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew were en route as well.

But then at about 3.30am AEDT Buckingham Palace announced the Queen’s death in a statement: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

EXPLAINER: What happens when the Queen dies?

While initial reports indicated Meghan would accompany her husband, they were later corrected by the couple’s spokesman.

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

“Undoubtedly people will speculate about that.

“She might not be terribly warmly welcomed, to be terribly candid.”

Prince William’s wife, Kate Middleton, is also not travelling to Balmoral, as Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis had their first full day of the school year on Thursday.

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Prince Charles and his son, Prince William. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/Getty Images

Kate is not rushing to Scotland as her two younger children have just completed their first full day of school for the new school year. Picture: Jonathan Brady / POOL / AFP

“The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace,” the new British Prime Minister Liz Truss said earlier.

“My thoughts, and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom, are with Her Majesty and her family at this time.”

Opposition Leader Keir Starmer said he, too, was “deeply worried”.

“My thoughts are with Her Majesty the Queen and her family at this time, and I join everyone across the United Kingdom in hoping for her recovery,” Sir Keir said.

Her Majesty has been the UK’s longest-serving monarch (Photo by Christopher Furlong / POOL / AFP)

The Queen was all smiles on Tuesday as she met new PM-elect Liz Truss. Picture: Jane Barlow / POOL / AFP

Meanwhile Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle interrupted a speech during the energy debate to update MPs about the Queen’s health. “I know I speak on behalf of the entire House when I say that we send our best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and that she and the royal family are in our thoughts and prayers at this moment,” he said.

The announcement from the palace came one day after the Queen postponed a scheduled Privy Council meeting after her doctors ordered her to rest.

The meeting would have seen Ms Truss take her oath as First Lord of the Treasury, and new cabinet ministers sworn into their roles.

The Queen appointed Ms Truss as Prime Minister at Balmoral on Tuesday, instead of travelling to London for the event. It was the first time in her 70-year reign that the ceremonial transfer of power was held at Balmoral.

She had been suffering from ongoing mobility issues and increasingly handed over duties to her heir, Prince Charles, and other members of the royal family in recent months.