Pregnant Meghan Markle watched Prince Philip’s funeral from California, sent handwritten note: report
Nancy Dillon
Meghan Markle couldn’t attend her grandfather-in-law’s funeral due to her pregnancy but watched his Saturday service from the California home she shares with Prince Harry, People magazine reported.
The Duchess of Sussex wanted to attend in person but was not cleared for travel by her physician, the outlet said.
In this Nov. 7, 2019 file photo, Meghan Markle stands after she and Prince Harry placed a Cross of Remembrance as they attend the opening of the annual Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in London.
In this Nov. 7, 2019 file photo, Meghan Markle stands after she and Prince Harry placed a Cross of Remembrance as they attend the opening of the annual Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in London. (Matt Dunham/)
The Sussexes first revealed in a bombshell interview with Oprah last month that they’re expecting their second child — a baby girl — this summer. Son Archie will turn 2 next month.
Journalist Omid Scobie, considered one of Markle’s media allies, told CBS News’ Gayle King, who happens to be Oprah’s best friend, that Markle’s mind was “very much on the situation” playing out at Windsor Castle on Saturday.
Scobie said Markle was grieving because “she has also lost a family member.”
According to People, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent a personalized wreath for the service in honor of Prince Philip.
Willow Crossley, who worked with the couple on flowers for their wedding reception and Archie’s christening, designed the wreath with special instructions, People reported.
The wreath reportedly included sea holly in a nod to Philip’s service with the Royal Marines and Acanthus mollis, the national flower of Greece, in a tribute to his ancestry.
The card accompanying the wreath was handwritten by Markle, People reported.
It was last weekend that Harry returned to the U.K. from California for the first time since the couple’s departure from royal life dubbed Megxit.
Members of Household Cavalry march by St George's Chapel before the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Officers of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery arrive for the Gun Salute for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday, April 17, 2021.
People wait by barriers outside Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Officers of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery arrive for the Gun Salute for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Police guards the Long Walk in Windsor, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Soldiers arrive at the Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, right, arrives at the Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery arriving at Windsor Castle in preparation for the Gun Salute on the palace grounds, before the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip, in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery arriving at Windsor Castle in preparation for the Gun Salute on the palace grounds, before the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip, in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Military in parade dress uniform march past flowers which where placed on the grass for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Members of the military march outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021, during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip.
Jayden, aged 8, holds a union flag as people gather outside Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Members of the military march outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021, during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip.
Soldiers standing guard outside the Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
A soldier stands outside the Windsor Castle ahead of the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Members of the Royal Navy at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021, during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrives at the Windsor Castle for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Military personnel march into the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday, April 17, 2021, ahead of the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip.
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Windsor Castle for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The Foot Guards Band march in the Engine Court ahead of the funeral of Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
A general view shows armed forces taking their positions in the quadrangle ahead of the ceremonial funeral procession of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021.
Guests arrive ahead of the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives for the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England.
The purpose built Land Rover Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's coffin will be carried in at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England.
The Duke of Edinburgh's driving carriage arrives in the Quadrangle, ahead of the funeral of Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Members of the Royal family, led by Prince Charles, rear left, follow behind the coffin of Britain's Prince Philip in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Prince Henry Donatus of Hesse, Landgrave of Hesse arrives at the Galilee Porch of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021, during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip.
Britain's Prince Charles, left, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew. Prince Edward, Prince William, Peter Phillips, Prince Harry, Earl of Snowdon and Tim Laurence follow the coffin in a ceremonial procession for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday April 17, 2021.
Members of the Royal family follow the coffin of Britain's Prince Philip during the funeral inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The band of the Grenadier Guards arrives at St George's Chapel for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The Foot Guards Band march onEngine Court ahead of the funeral of Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Members of the Royal family, led by Prince Charles, center left, and Princess Anne, center right, follow behind the coffin of Britain's Prince Philip in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Britain's Prince Charles follows the coffin as it makes it's way past the Round Tower during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday April 17, 2021.
Prince Philip's coffin, borne on the Land Rover he helped to design, is followed by Pall Bearers drawn from regiments, corps, air stations and units with a special relationship to Prince Philip, during the funeral procession in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The coffin arrives at St George's Chapel for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The Royal Navy cap sits on top of the coffin during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday April 17, 2021.
The coffin is carried inside the St George's Chapel for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
A minute of silence is observed at St George's Chapel for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
The coffin is held on the steps of St George's Chapel during the procession of Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
The gun salute at Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Saturday, April 17, 2021, a single round was fired at 1500, followed by a single round at 1501 to begin and end the National Minute Silence immediately before the funeral service of Britain's Prince Philip.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives ahead of Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, center, arrives to attend the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by the Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor, as she arrives at St George's Chapel for Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and Princess Anne, the Princess Royal walk in the procession, ahead of Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Britain's Prince Harry, right, Prince William, Peter Phillips, left, follow the coffin in a ceremonial procession for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday April 17, 2021.
Prince Harry walks in the procession, ahead of Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Prince Andrew, center, Prince Harry and Prince Edward, in the procession ahead of Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, second right and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge stand outside of St George's Chapel ahead of Britain Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
From left, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Prince Charles and Princess Anne arrive after walking in a procession behind the coffin of Prince Philip, with other members of the Royal family during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth is conducted by the Dean of Windsor into the Quire of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sits alone in St. George’s Chapel during the funeral of Prince Philip, the man who had been by her side for 73 years, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, look on during the funeral of Prince Philip, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth watches as pallbearers carry the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh during his funeral at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Mourners including, front row from left, Kate Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Prince Edward, Viscount Severn, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, Sophie Countess of Wessex, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles during the funeral of Prince Philip, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
A gun salute to commemorate Britain's Prince Philip, at the Tower of London, in London, Saturday, April 17, 2021. A single round was fired at 1500, followed by a single round at 1501 to begin and end the National Minute Silence immediately before the funeral service of The Duke of Edinburgh.
A gun salute to commemorate Britain's Prince Philip, at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Saturday, April 17, 2021. A single round was fired at 1500, followed by a single round at 1501 to begin and end the National Minute Silence immediately before the funeral service of The Duke of Edinburgh.
Pall Bearers carry the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh into St George's Chapel for his funeral, followed by members of the Royal family, at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, left, and other guests look on the flag draped coffin in St. George’s Chapel during the funeral of Prince Philip, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
The coffin is carried induring Britain Prince Philip's funeral at St George's chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
The medals and decorations of Prince Philip are displayed, as The Rt Revd David Conner, Dean of Windsor, looks on during the funeral for Britain Prince Philip at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
From left, Kate Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Prince Edward, Viscount Severn, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex during the funeral of Prince Philip, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
The Garter Principal King of Arms proclaims Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh's styles and titles from the sanctuary inside St George's Chapel, with medals and decorations displayed, during the funeral for Britain Prince Philip in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Prince Charles and Princess Anne follow the Land Rover Defender carrying Prince Philip's coffin during the funeral in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Saturday April 17, 2021.
Princess Anne, right, and Prince Edward walks together during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II follows the coffin in a car as it makes it's way past the Round Tower during the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday April 17, 2021.
Princess Eugenie attends the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Princess Beatrice, center, and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, second left, attend the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge looks out from a car window as she arrives for the funeral of Britain's Prince Philip inside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, April 17, 2021.
He reportedly spent the week in quarantine and first reunited with family members shortly before the funeral service.
Harry, 36, walked behind his grandfather’s casket with his cousin Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne, next to him and Prince William on the other side.
After the service, Harry and William exited the funeral together and appeared to be chatting in a hopeful image of solidarity.
In a statement on his Archwell website, Harry praised Philip for his service to the royal family.
“Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely missed, but always remembered—by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and I, as well as your future great-granddaughter, will always hold a special place for you in our hearts,” he wrote.
