4 Meghan and Harry’s to LA last-minute dash
THIS WEEK, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex formally stepped back from their lives as senior royals. As per the agreement hammered out at January’s Sandringham Summit, 31 March was the first day of the rest of their lives. And, as the nation reeled at the news that Prince Charles had contracted coronavirus, it was reported that the couple have already relocated to a new home in California.
According to reports, the couple and their son Archie – who will turn one in May – left the privacy of Vancouver Island by private jet last week, ahead of the closure of borders, in favour of a ‘secluded compound’ in Los Angeles. A source tells Grazia that Meghan’s well-connected best friend, Jessica Mulroney, assisted with all travel arrangements, and that the Canadian government was made aware of the move for security reasons. ‘The country’s police force have stated that they wouldn’t be paying for full-time security costs,’ says the source. ‘But there is still a lot of warmth for Meghan and Harry in the country. Justin Trudeau will have made it clear, privately, that they will be welcome back at any point.’
Despite his father’s illness, Harry is now unlikely to return to Britain. One report stated that Meghan had forbidden him to travel during the epidemic, but royal author Katie Nicholl explains that the decision is in line with protocol, as well as Harry’s ultimate priority: his family’s health. ‘Any decisions Harry makes are done with the health of himself and his family in mind.’ And, by all accounts, Meghan feels very close to her father-in-law. ‘She and Charles adore each other,’ says a friend. ‘There have been fractures in recent months, yes, but no animosity. Meghan is as worried about Charles as Harry is.’
But Meghan has found it very hard being apart from her mother Doria, who lives in LA. A source tells Grazia that Meghan had missed her greatly during her time in the UK and Canada, with the pandemic the nudge she needed to finalise a move. ‘Work can wait,’ the source says. ‘This relocation, at this specific time, is about being near her mother if she needs her. They’ll keep in quarantine and follow the rules – Meghan is taking this very seriously.’ Indeed, while Doria has been seen walking her dog, they have not seen each other in person. Although, ‘Meghan has sent a care package, and they have been exchanging video calls.’
A California move has long been on the cards, part of Harry and Meghan’s plan to work on television and film projects, using the West Coast as a base. But with the world in quarantine, the pair’s plans are now very much on hold.
Meghan’s reported appearance at the Met Gala will not materialise, thanks to the event’s cancellation. Last week, Disney released a trailer for her first post-royal project – a voiceover for Disneynature documentary Elephant, set to debut 3 April on Disney+, recorded before the pandemic took hold – but future participation in films or programmes is on ice. And public speaking, thought to be a key source of income in their new life, will also have to pause. Nevertheless, plans put in motion before the pandemic are bearing fruit. Last week, Catherine St-laurent of the Gates Foundation told colleagues that she was leaving to take the position of chief of staff and executive director for Harry and Meghan’s new non-profit enterprise.
‘Although there is a cloud of uncertainty over all of their new work, there are more pressing issues now,’ says Katie. ‘And it’s a difficult time for Harry, being away from his ill father at this uncertain time.’
Charles’s condition is stable, but the establishment is not taking any chances. The Queen and Prince Philip are quarantined in Windsor. William and Kate are with their children at Anmer Hall. Harry and Meghan may be halfway around the world, but Katie has little doubt that they would re-evaluate the plans they worked so hard on. ‘It’s something that is absolutely ingrained in Harry as a royal,’ she insists. ‘I believe that, if he were ever needed at home to help his family and his country in its time of need, he would be back.’