As Queen Elizabeth lay dying in September 2022, royals raced to be by her side at Balmoral Castle.
Prince William quickly jetted from England to the Scottish estate, alongside Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
However, Princess Kate did not join them, sparking speculation that she was not extended an invitation by the family.
However, royal author Robert Hardman reveals in his new book, The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, that it was Kate’s decision to stay behind.
In an excerpt published by the Daily Mail, he noted that Kate, 42, decided to remain in England with children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.
The trio were starting the first day of classes at Lambrook school and Kate wanted to ensure that her children began the school year with some stability.
At the time, reports surfaced that Prince Harry’s wife Meghan Markle was ordered to stay home in Montecito, Calif while her husband raced to Scotland.
Kate’s decision to stay in England allegedly made it easier for royals to tell Harry that Meghan was not welcome at Balmoral.
“It was by luck rather than judgment, but it made it a lot easier to tell Harry he was coming alone,” a palace aide told Hardman for his book.
Like the late Duke of Edinburgh, she [Queen Elizabeth] did not like a queue of family well-wishers flocking to her bedside when ill,” he penned.
