With two-year-old Archie and new baby Lilibet to look after, we imagine Meghan Markle would prefer Prince Harry to stay home as much as possible. So, his recent trip to the UK to unveil a statue of his mother Princess Diana was tough on her.
In fact, an insider close to the former royals tells heat that it was torturous for Meghan – who only gave birth last month – not knowing what was going on while she waited for Harry to return to the US.
“Meghan had a rough time without Prince Harry by her side while he was away on his UK trip. And although they were in touch all the time, she wanted to know everything as soon as he got back,” our insider reveals.
“She can only imagine how much awkwardness Harry had to put up with, even though he likes to shield her from a lot of it and insists it wasn’t that bad a time, all things considered. Meghan missed him terribly and just wanted him home – there were a lot of tears and emotions when he got back.”
Harry, 36, and his brother Prince William unveiled the statue of their mother together and appeared relaxed in each other’s company, despite the fact they’ve barely been on speaking terms since Harry and Meghan’s tell-all interview a few months ago. And while Meghan, 39, may have been anxiously analysing the pictures of the brothers together along with the rest of the world, we’re told that Harry reassured her once he returned home.
CHECK OUT Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's love story from the start
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline
1 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
2 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
3 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
4 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
5 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
6 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Marklec
'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
7 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
8 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
9 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
10 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
11 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
12 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
13 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
14 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
15 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
16 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
17 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
18 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
19 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
20 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
21 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
22 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
23 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
24 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
25 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
26 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
27 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
28 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
29 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
30 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
31 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
32 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
“Harry did his best to make sure she was involved as much as possible and gave her all the details when he got back,” our source explains. “She was worried about what would be said, and while he wishes he was on better terms with the royals, Meghan, Archie and Lili are his family now and America is his home. He knows what he has given up and the sacrifices he’s made, and he’s reassured Meghan that he did it all for her and has no regrets. But Meghan can’t help but worry, especially when Harry is surrounded by the royals without her.”
As heat reported last week, it seems Meghan and Harry are happy to keep things civil with the royal family at the moment, particularly as an invitation to the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations next year has been extended to them. And, of course, Meghan understood why celebrating Diana’s 60th birthday with the statue was so important to her husband.
Look! More news!
The source added, “Meghan was very understanding about Harry’s decision to travel back and pay his respects to Diana on this occasion. She totally got it and hoped it would be cathartic for him, and potentially healing to see his brother in person.”
And while there are rumours that Meghan will accompany Harry on a trip to the UK in September, for now she’s just happy to have her husband home for some quality family time. “There’s just still so much tension there, which is why Meghan wants a long period for her and Harry to reflect on it all from their home in America,” our insider tells us. “She may come back with him in September, but the time in between will give them the chance to resume building this new life they’ve worked so hard for, without interruption from the royal family. California is their home now and will be for long into their future.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.