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meghan markle in red with prince harry© Photo: Getty Images

Why Meghan Markle will not join Prince Harry on visit to UK for Princess Diana's statue unveiling

The Duchess of Sussex will not be in attendance

Diane Shipley
Senior Online Writer
June 16, 2021
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The Duke of Sussex will be returning to the UK next month in honour of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales' 60th birthday.

A statue will be unveiled in honour of the late Princess, and as we previously reported, the Duke will be in attendance.

MORE: Prince Charles and Camilla congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on daughter's birth

The statue will be installed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on 1 July 2021, marking what would have been Diana's 60th birthday.

However, HELLO! understands that the Duchess of Sussex will not be joining her husband at the heartfelt occasion.

This is likely because she gave birth to the couple's daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, earlier this month.

WATCH: Charles Spencer quizzed about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's baby daughter's name

While Prince Harry returned to London for the funeral of his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh following his death on 9 April, his wife did not join him on medical advice.

SEE: Meghan Markle's £1.48m former home with ex is nothing like Prince Harry's houses

MORE: Royals who married more than once: From Meghan Markle to Princess Anne

Their daughter will be less than a month old at the time of the ceremony.

meghan markle trench coat dress© Photo: Getty Images

The Duchess won't be joining her husband at the event 

The couple welcomed their little girl on 4 June and announced the news two days later, as well as sharing her name – a heartfelt tribute to both her grandmother and great-grandmother.

Their statement read: "It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world.

"Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA.

harry and meghan t shifrt oprah

The couple now live in California with their children

"She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home.

"Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales."

"This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family."

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