Why hand-holding Prince Harry and Meghan are keen not to upset the hierarchy ahead of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral

touching state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II was missing two important guests. Though Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were both in attendance, with the Duke of Sussex participating in several processionals surrounding the historic day, neither their 3-year-old son, Archie, nor their 1-year-old daughter, Lilibet, joined their parents for any of the events surrounding the death of their great-grandmother.The two youngsters, who are sixth and seventh in line to the British royal throne behind their father, were home in Montecito, California, while their parents were in the United Kingdom. ET has learned that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to return to California imminently to be reunited with their children. On Monday, royal expert Katie Nicholl told ET's Kevin Frazier in London, «I think we'll probably see the Sussexes on their way back to America very soon.

Meghan Markle got emotional on Monday during the state funeral of her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth III. Dressed in a black dress --  which she paired with a matching wide-brimmed hat, gloves, tights, and heels — the 41-year-old Duchess of Sussex appeared to wipe tears from her eyes during the service which took place at Westminster Abbey.In one photo, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, who is the wife of the queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, appears to be about to comfort Meghan as the former actress has her head bowed down with her hand up to her face.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat behind the King and Queen Consort during the funeral service of the late Queen Elizabeth II, putting them front and centre for the Royal event. This seating arrangement is being said to reflect that the couple may be back in the heart of the Royal family.

Meghan Markle looked downcast as she made her way to Westminster Abbey to attend the state funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II this morning. The Duchess of Sussex, 41, was photographed travelling alongside Sophie, Countess of Wessex, with the pair making their way to Westminster via car. Meghan looked glamorous in a black dress complete with cape sleeves, which she paired with tights and black high heels.The mum-of-two wore her hair up in a low bun with a wide brimmed black hat and small pearl earrings.

Meghan Markle attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral with Prince Harry on Monday, September 19.

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on Monday, Prince Harry arrived wearing his morning suit and military medals. He then processed behind his grandmother's coffin as it moved from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey for her State Funeral service. As has been an ongoing conversation throughout the official events surrounding the queen's funeral, the Duke of Sussex was not permitted to wear his military uniform to the State Funeral on Monday at Westminster Abbey.His father, King Charles III, and older brother, Prince William, were both seen in their uniforms.

Meghan Markle is paying her final respects to Queen Elizabeth II. The 41-year-old Duchess of Sussex attended the State Funeral of the late British monarch on Sunday at Westminster Abbey. She arrived solo as her husband, Prince Harry, participated in the procession behind his grandmother's coffin from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey. Meghan wore a wide-brimmed black hat, black dress with an attached cape, black tights and heels.

King Charles III and other members of the royal family marched behind Queen Elizabeth II‘s coffin as the Royal Navy transported her to Westminster Abbey ahead of her funeral.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been advised to make amends with Prince William and Kate Middleton following their "bombshell" Oprah interview, the Mirror reports.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are breaking their silence about Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

Queen Elizabeth II's grandchildren paid her a touching tribute on Saturday. Prince Harry and Prince William were decked out in their full military uniforms, at the request of their father, King Charles III, alongside their cousins, standing vigil at their grandmother's coffin in Westminster Hall for 15 minutes of silence.

The Prince Harry and Meghan Markle drama continued into the weekend as it wasn’t clear if the Sussexes would be attending a pre-funeral reception at Buckingham Palace on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.  The Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who settled in California after stepping down as senior royals in 2020 – reportedly initially received an invitation to the Sunday evening reception, but conflicting reports said they were and weren’t expected to attend.  According to the Telegraph, they have now been uninvited because palace officials insisted that the reception hosted by King Charles III and Camilla, the queen consort, is only for working royals, which Harry and Meghan are not. Yahoo New UK reported, however, that despite the reception originally only being for working members of the royal family, an exception was made and the Sussexes are expected to attend.  Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, leave Westminster Hall, London after the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was brought to the hall to lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday on September 14, 2022 in London, England.  (Photo Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)) The "King and Queen Consort, accompanied by members of the royal family" plan to welcome hundreds of world leaders and royals from other countries, the palace said on Friday.

Mourning a tragic loss. Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, honored his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, with a touching tribute following her death at age 96.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left Westminster Hall hand in hand on Wednesday and their close display of affection quickly garnered media attention. 

Prince Harry has reportedly been given special permission to sport his military uniform for Her late Majesty’s vigil on Saturday 17 September.The 37 year old was banned from wearing his military attire during the procession which saw the Queen’s coffin escorted from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday 14 September. Now, the Mirror has reported that the Prince will wear his military uniform on Saturday 17 September in a special tribute to the late sovereign. It appears the Duke of Sussex will don his military colours for a lying-in-state vigil staged by the Queen's grandchildren at Westminster Hall.

Prince Harry turned 38 on Thursday but don't expect the Duke of Sussex to commemorate the occasion publicly, if at all, following Queen Elizabeth II's death.A source close to the royal family tells ET that the family is in a one-month period of mourning and Harry is not expected to do anything to mark the day, except spend it privately. Her Majesty died one week before Harry's birthday, and since then a number of events have taken place and will continue taking place, culminating with Elizabeth's state funeral scheduled for Monday at 6 a.m.

Wow. Prince William and Prince Harry are really trying to prove they are a united front following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex hold hands as they leave the Palace of Westminster as the First Watch begins their duty during the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday (September 14) in London, England.

Following protocol. Prince Harry and Prince Andrew‘s attendance at Queen Elizabeth II‘s coffin procession came with certain rules — including that the duo were not allowed to perform a salute.