Meghan Markle To Be 'Secret Guest' At Princess Diana's Statue Unveiling — See First Photos Of Where The Ceremony Will Take Place
Just weeks after welcoming daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, Meghan Markle may be putting a pause on maternity leave to accompany Prince Harry at the unveiling of Princess Diana's statue on July 1 in London.
After all, she's aware of how difficult it was for her husband to reunite with the royals at Prince Philip's funeral following the couple's shocking claims against the family, according to a source. At the time, OK! reported that Meghan was advised by her doctor not to travel due to her pregnancy — so Harry had to face his family all on his own.
“Meghan knows how hard it was to attend his grandfather’s funeral alone and doesn’t want that to happen again. Harry was given the cold shoulder by most of his relatives, with several refusing to talk to him or even make eye contact,” an insider exclusively told Radar, who reported that Meghan will be a "secret guest" at the ceremony.
“Since the funeral, things have got worse, not better, so you can only imagine how he will be treated at the big event on July 1st,” said the Radar source.
If Meghan chooses to make the journey back to the U.K. with her hubby, the power couple will reunite with the royal family at Kensington Palace, which is where the statue will be displayed. OK! has a first look at where it will be placed below.
Harry and Meghan's newborn daughter Lilibet Diana — who made her debut on Friday, June 4, and was named after Harry's late mom and grandmother Queen Elizabeth II — will likely not be in attendance. However, Prince William and Kate Middleton as well as their children will be there to honor the Princess of Wales.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge may not be pleased to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, since the senior royal working members have apparently been looking forward to being the center of attention.
- Prince Harry's Return To U.K. For Princess Diana's Statue Unveiling Will Be A 'Fleeting Visit,' Says Source
- Prince Harry 'Is Demanding' Meghan Markle Be Part Of His Mother Diana's 60th Birthday Tribute — Or Else His Presence At The Palace Could Be In Jeopardy
- 'Tension Is Brewing' Ahead Of Prince William & Prince Harry's Upcoming Reunion, 'Everyone Is Bracing For A Showdown': Source
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"Meghan and Harry know the event is going to be dominated by Prince William, Kate and their children," the insider told Radar. "The Cambridges call Kensington Palace home and have been working feverishly to make sure the entire event is flawless."
They added: "The day will not just be about honoring Diana on what would have been her 60th birthday, but also an opportunity for William to take ownership of his mother's legacy." The 38-year-old's attempt at being in the spotlight "will be more difficult" if Meghan and Harry attend, the source speculated.
Meanwhile, palace insiders insisted that Her Majesty would be overjoyed to see both Diana's sons and their wives standing alongside each other.
OK! exclusively obtained the first photo of where Diana's statue will be located in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace, which was a favorite place of the mother-of-two when she lived at the palace.
Apart from the princess' statue being displayed at her former home, Diana's iconic wedding dress is also on display at the Palace as part of the "Royal Style In The Making" exhibition, which will run until January 2, 2022.
Despite the brothers' tense relationship, Harry, 36, and William previously released a joint statement about their mom's statue. “Our mother touched so many lives. We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy," they said.
