Why Kate Middleton Didn’t Go to Balmoral with Prince William as Queen Elizabeth Lay Dying

A recently released book is shedding light on the reasons behind Kate Middleton’s absence from the trip to Scotland with Prince William on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s passing.

In an excerpt from the upcoming book by royal biographer Robert Hardman, titled “The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy” (scheduled for release on Jan. 18), details surrounding the events of Queen Elizabeth’s death on Sept. 8, 2022, are discussed.

While Prince William, 41, and other members of the royal family hurried to be by the Queen’s side in Balmoral following doctors expressing concern for her health, the then-42-year-old Princess of Wales opted to stay in Windsor with their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

The decision was influenced by the commencement of a new term at a new school for the three siblings, prompting Kate to decide that one parent should be present with the children on such a significant day, as outlined in the excerpt.

In 2022, there were reports suggesting that Meghan Markle had been urged to remain behind while Prince Harry traveled to Scotland, with an assumption that Kate was similarly excluded for comparable reasons. However, according to revelations from royal biographer Hardman, it was Kate’s own decision.

“It was more a stroke of luck than intentional planning, but it certainly facilitated the communication to Harry that he would be making the journey alone,” notes a royal aide in the newly published book.

Harry detailed the day his grandmother passed away in his memoir, “Spare,” released last January. At that time, Harry and Meghan, residing in California, were in the U.K. for a scheduled charity event appearance in London when he received a call from his father informing him that “Granny’s health had taken a turn.”

Harry wrote, “She was up at Balmoral, of course. Those beautiful, melancholy late-summer days. He hung up — he had many other calls to make — and I immediately texted Willy to ask whether he and Kate were flying up. If so, when? And how? No response. Meg and I explored flight options.”