Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may fly Archie and Lilibet to the UK for Queen’s funeral

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may fly Archie and Lilibet to the UK for the Queen’s funeral, it has been suggested.

The US-based Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly confirmed they will be staying in Britain until the end of the royal mourning period, which finishes seven days after the service on September 19.

However, the couple’s children, Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, remain in California with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, 66, and have already spent more than a week apart from their parents, who were coming to the end of a whistlestop tour to Europe when the Queen died on Thursday.

According to The Telegraph, the Sussexes are now trying to work out whether Doria and the children should fly out to the UK.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess confirmed the couple will stay in the UK for the period of royal mourning, reported The Express.

MailOnline has contacted a representative of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment.  

Meghan and Harry had only expected to be away from their Montecito mansion for seven days for their mini European tour, in which they were supporting various charities close to their hearts.

However, the Queen’s death at Balmoral on Thursday, aged 96, pushed them to extend their stay in the UK.

The Duke and Duchess had been due to attend an awards show in London on Thursday night, but they cancelled their appearance as Harry, alongside other royals, raced to be by his grandmother’s side after doctors said they were ‘concerned for her health’.

Prince William had flown up on a RAF jet with Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie. But it is understood that they did not reach the Scottish estate before the Queen passed. Initial reports had said his younger brother would also be on board.

But instead Harry was in mid air when Buckingham Palace announced the death of his beloved grandmother. He flew by private jet from Luton Airport, arriving at Balmoral an hour and a half after the historic statement.

Courtiers issued the declaration at 6.30pm – just over an hour after Prince William and other senior royals had arrived to join Charles III at the Queen’s residence. Liz Truss was told at around 4.30pm, Downing Street said.

On Saturday evening, Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Meghan and Harry made a surprise appearance together at Windsor Castle to inspect the sea of floral tributes laid outside the gates of the Berkshire estate in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. 

The reunion marks the first time that the two couples have all appeared in public since Commonwealth Day on March 9, 2020, just weeks before the Covid lockdown.

Harry and Meghan, who quit frontline duties two years ago to strike out on their own in California and then levied a series of bombshell allegations against The Firm, held hands as they looked at the tributes, with Harry at one point affectionately putting his hand on Meghan’s back.

They were seen pointing at different tributes and discussing them as members of the crowd waved at them.

One well-wisher who spoke to Harry and Meghan told MailOnline: ‘It’s lovely to see them both together. Maybe they can get back to a proper relationship.

‘Lovely ripple went through the crowd as they approached. Hopefully the healing between Harry and his brother can start now. I’m just so excited to have seen them both together. It’s lovely.’

Another mourner said: ‘We couldn’t believe it when the gates opened, and we saw William and Harry walk down with Meghan and Kate. I’ll be honest there was a little bit of a groan when Harry and Meghan came down our side, but I passed him a bunch of flowers and he was happy to take them. 

‘I’m pleased that they came out together and as a family I’m delighted that they all took the time to come and say hello to the crowds. Sad things like funerals bring families together so I hope that when they get back to California they think long and hard about everything that’s happened.’ 

Harry only took place after an extended negotiation which delayed the Sussexes arrival by at least 45 minutes.

Royal sources say William attempted to bury the hatchet by extending an ’11th-hour olive branch’ to his younger brother Harry, by asking him to join him on a walkabout outside Windsor Castle following a phone call with his father Charles III. 

In a scene that clearly delighted royal fans, who had come in their hundreds to the gates of the Windsor estate to mourn the Queen’s death, William and Harry walked out side-by-side with wives Kate and Meghan.

Last night, a Kensington Palace spokesman said that the Prince of Wales had invited the Sussexes to join him and the Princess of Wales during yesterday evening’s walkabout. 

However, according to The Times, the camps required extended negotiations beforehand which delayed their arrival by 45 minutes.

A senior Palace source said: ‘The Prince of Wales invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to join him and the Princess of Wales earlier. The Prince of Wales thought it was an important show of unity for the Queen at an incredibly difficult time for the family.’ 

Experts predict the moment could provide a turning point in the frayed relationship between newly-titled Waleses, and the Sussexes, who have been at odds following a series of damaging interviews by Harry and Meghan.

The Montecito-based Sussexes were consequently in the UK on a pseudo royal tour when the Queen’s health suddenly deteriorated on Thursday. 

It is believed the Sussexes had not previously made any plans to meet with the Waleses, despite staying in Frogmore Cottage, just 700 yards from William and Kate’s Adelaide Cottage. However both William and Harry raced to Balmoral on Thursday after it became clear the Queen’s health was faltering.    

The Sussexes’ friend and preferred journalist Omid Scobie later claimed on Twitter that the invitation was made at the ’11th hour’. 

However, hinting that William is prepared to extend Harry an olive branch and work towards melting the ice between them, he declared: ‘It is, without a doubt, a significant moment in the history of the relationship between the two brothers’. 

What happens on day of the Queen’s funeral, can I legally take the day off work, will schools close and when is coronation of King Charles III? Vital Q&A ahead of national mourning on Bank Holiday Monday, September 19

• The government has declared September 19 a Bank Holiday to mourn the Queen
• However there is no legal requirement for employers to give staff the day off 
• Schools, some businesses and cultural establishments are expected to close 
• Royal Mail will observe the holiday – so post won’t be delivered on funeral day

By Natasha Anderson for MailOnline

The day of the Queen’s funeral is to be a Bank Holiday in honour of the late monarch.  

King Charles III formally approved an order declaring Monday, September 19 as a bank holiday at St James’s Palace in London on Saturday.

The Queen’s funeral will take place on Monday September 19 at Westminster Abbey at 11am.

The unexpected holiday has left Britons questioning what it means for them and their families. Can you legally take the day off of work? Will schools be closed?

September 19 marks the tenth Bank Holiday this year. An additional one was previously added this year in commemoration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Usually, the UK has eight Bank Holidays per year. 

Am I legally entitled to a day off work?

While the King has declared his mother’s state funeral as a Bank Holiday, there is no legal requirement for employers to give staff the day off.

The government, in its online announcement, says the ‘bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays.’ 

This mean there is ‘no statutory entitlement’ to time off but employers may include the day as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.

‘The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers,’ the announcement states.

‘However, we would expect that many workers will be able to take the day off on the bank holiday. We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work.’

Officials say the holiday will allow residents, businesses and other organisation to ‘pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.’

Can I claim a day in-lieu, if I have to work?

Employers may offer staff another day’s holiday if they are required to work. However, the government has not issued guidance on this.

Days in-lieu are determined on a by-company basis and are a matter of discussion between staff and their employers. 

If I work, will I be paid extra? 

The government says staff should discuss additional pay with their employers.

‘There are no statutory rules regarding extra pay on bank holidays,’ the government’s announcement notes. 

Will schools be closed?

Schools will be closed on September 19 so that staff and students can mourn the death of Her Majesty. 

The government’s memo specifically states: ‘We are not asking schools to remain open on the day of the bank holiday.’

It is possible that some schools may opt to remain open in a limited capacity, in effort to look after children should their parents be at work.

However, the government does not require this. It would likely be an individual decision made by each school.

Will shops and restaurants close?

Shops and other customer-facing businesses will likely remain open during the 10-day mourning period.

Some may choose to close on the day of the funeral, especially if they are located close to the processional route.

But official government guidance states: ‘There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the national mourning period.’

Britons are encouraged to contact businesses directly for information about closures. 

Will Royal Mail still deliver my post?

The Royal Mail will suspend post delivery on the day of the funeral as a mark of respect for the Queen. 

‘We want to make our customers aware that services will be suspended on the day of the funeral as people come together to honour Her Majesty, after 70 years of exemplary service to the nation and the Commonwealth,’ Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson said in a statement.

He noted the organisation is ‘proud’ to be playing an ‘important role delivering messages of condolence from all around the world to the Royal Family.’

Royal Mail said it has maintained a close relationship with the monarch for over 500 years, dating back to when King Henry VIII appointed the first postmaster.

The postal service says Queen Elizabeth II continued this close relationship by taking a ‘keen interest’ in its operations and playing an ‘active role’ in stamp selection. 

Will GPs and hospitals close? 

The NHS is expected to treat September 19 as it would any other Bank Holiday. GP surgeries will likely close, but hospitals will remain open.

Scheduled operations are expected to proceed.

An NHS spokesperson told MailOnline it will provide further detail when plans have been finalised. 

Will the courts continue to work? 

Courts in England and Wales will remain open during the national mourning period.

The courts are expected to only hear urgent matters on the day of the funeral. 

Will museums, theatres and art galleries be closed?

Some entertainment venues and cultural establishments will close their doors for the upcoming Bank Holiday.

The National Gallery shut and The Royal Opera House pulled its performance of Don Giovanni following the announcement of the Queen’s death.

Similarly, the BBC cancelled the Last Night of the Proms at Royal Albert Hall to as a mark of respect following her death.

However, like other businesses, cultural establishments are not required to close on Bank Holiday. In fact, the British Museum often remains open to visitors on holidays.

People are encouraged to contact the museum, theatre or gallery of interest for specific policies regarding the September 19 Bank Holiday.

Will sport events be cancelled?

Several sporting events, including football and key horse races, have been cancelled in wake of the Queen’s death.

Fans should follow consult their club’s schedule for specific details regarding cancellations and rescheduling of matches. 

Will rail or postal strikes still go ahead during the period of national mourning?

Rail union baron Mick Lynch has called off strikes planned for next week in a show of respect after the death of the Queen.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union boss said the walkout of rail workers was ‘suspended’ as the union joins ‘the whole nation in paying its respects’.

Last week, the RMT announced members would take strike action on September 15 and 17, causing rail chaos in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

However, in a show of respect to Her Majesty, Mr Lynch said: ‘RMT joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth.

The Royal Mail also called off the second day of its planned 48-hour strike over pay and working conditions.

‘Following the very sad news of the passing of the Queen, and out of respect for her service to the country and her family, the union has decided to call off tomorrow’s planned strike action,’ the Communication Workers Union tweeted last Thursday.

Although the rail and postal unions have declined to strike during the national mourning period, that does not mean all workers groups will stop assembling. 

The leader of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) said on Friday that defence barristers will continue to refuse to work on legal aid-funded cases. 

Protests at courts and in Westminster next week have been called off, but the strike action will continue. Protests after the Queen’s funeral will be ‘kept under review’. 

Will the Queen’s death become an annual holiday?

The government says there are currently ‘no plans’ to mark the Queen’s death as an annual holiday.

Is the funeral of a monarch traditionally a bank holiday?

A monarch’s funeral is not traditionally a bank holiday.

The funerals of King George VI in 1952 or Sir Winston Churchill in 1965, the last time a state funeral was held in the UK, were not holidays.

However, the government has marked the Queen’s funeral as a bank holiday in an effort to ‘help give as many people as possible the opportunity on the day of the State Funeral to mark Her Majesty’s passing and commemorate Her reign.’

When will King Charles III’s Coronation take place and will it be a Bank Holiday?

Although Charles became King upon his mother’s death, he will not officially be crowned until next year.

His Coronation will likely take place in the spring or summer of 2023, after a period of mourning.

The government has not yet decided if the ceremony will be marked with a bank holiday. ‘A decision will be made nearer the time,’ officials say.