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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Distance Has Been ‘Challenging’ for Queen Elizabeth II (Exclusive)

With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle giving up royal life and Prince Philip in the hospital, Queen Elizabeth II has been going through it.

Related: Queen Elizabeth II Through the Years

“It’s been a rough few weeks for the queen, that’s for sure,” a source exclusively says in the new issue of Us Weekly. “The situation with Harry and Meghan has been challenging, and on top of that, she’s distraught over her beloved husband’s health setback.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Distance Has Been Challenging for Queen Elizabeth II
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Oli Scarff/PA Images/INSTARimages.com

Philip, 99, was taken to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on February 16 to receive “medical attention for an infection,” according to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson. Just three days later, Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, announced that they will not return as working members of the British royal family after taking a step back from their duties in March 2020. In doing so, the couple pushed back on the palace’s statement about their exit, asserting that they can still “live a life of service” without the royals backing them.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Distance Has Been Challenging for Queen Elizabeth II 2
Queen Elizabeth II Richard Pohle/PA Images/INSTARimages.com

“The queen has had some tearful moments mixed with anger and disappointment,” a second source tells Us. “Emotions are definitely running high.”

Related: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Relationship Timeline

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s move to the U.S. has been hard on the monarch, 94, too, especially now that the parents of Archie, 21 months, have their second child on the way.

“The queen has FaceTime calls with Archie, but it’s not the same,” the second source says, noting that Elizabeth is “desperate to give Archie a huge hug.”

For more on the royals, watch the video above and pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now!

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