PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle will not return to the UK to celebrate Prince Andrew’s 60th birthday.
It is believed the Duke and Duchess have chosen to remain in Canada rather than attend the royal festivities for Harry’s embattled uncle.
British media correspondent Neil Sean told Fox News it is an “open secret” that the couple declined the Queen’s invitation to attend the February 19 party.
Neil Sean said: “It’s not very nice for the queen as, whatever people say and think, (Andrew) is (still) her son and she wanted her close family around her.”
It is believed the Sussex’s will instead send a gift and a video message to be played at the festivities.
Neil Sean added: “The reason given is that they already have commitments on the day but also plan to send a gift/card and a video message to be played at the party.”
This is one of the first clear examples of the couple electing to opt out of a formal royal gathering following their shock decision to step down as senior royals last month.
Prince Andrew is Harry’s uncle as well as the Queen’s third child and second son – eighth in the line of succession to the British throne.
It was reported in November that the Queen had cancelled plans to celebrate The Duke of York’s 60th birthday in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Prince Andrew was sacked from his royal duties following a now-infamous Newsnight interview, in which he failed to adequately explain his relationship with financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and was accused of showing a lack of empathy with Epstein’s victims.
In January, authorities announced Andrew has refused to cooperate with federal investigators as they continue their probe into Epstein.
According to Sean, the reigning monarch had originally planned a large-scale party in honour of her son’s milestone birthday.
However, a palace source told him that the Queen “is [now] understood to be holding only a small family dinner.”
Although Andrew has stepped back from most of his public-facing duties, he will walk his daughter Beatrice down the aisle during her wedding in May.
It is not yet confirmed in the Duke and Duchess will attend Beatrice’s big day.
Sean said: “Fans will have to wait and see if Meghan and Harry attend this event.”
“A mole [told] me, ‘Beatrice really got on well with Meghan and is sad she left, but so far they have been unable to keep that friendship going.’ Others though [say] that Meghan values her own PR and believes any association right now with the brand of York may not be that great for the couple earning power outside the royal family.”
It was yesterday revealed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly let go the remaining 15 members of their UK staff and closed their Buckingham Palace office.
It is the surest sign yet that the couple and their son Archie are unlikely ever to return to the UK to live.
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