Kate Middleton’s plans for 2020 ‘dashed by Meghan Markle’ – blow for royal cousins | Royal | News

Kate’s wish for 2020 was for her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to spend more time with Meghan and Harry‘s son Archie Harrison. The three Cambridge children reportedly “adore” their baby cousin and their parents hoped they would be able to play together, but the dream was crushed by the Sussexes’ shock decision to quit the royal frontline. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to step down as senior royals and announced their intention to split their time between the UK and North America.

They spent several weeks in Canada before moving to California, where they have remained for the entire year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 has restricted travel and meant many loved ones have been unable to see each other.

However, pandemic or no pandemic, the Sussexes’ decision to move to the US will necessarily mean there will always be less time for the cousins to get to know each other.

Growing up, Prince Harry and Prince William were very close to their cousins, especially Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall.

READ MORE: Kate snubbed by Meghan and Harry on ‘royals they will work with’

The extended Royal Family meets for several celebrations and events throughout the year, giving the children time to bond.

Meghan and Harry’s decision to step down from their roles was unprecedented and their family will not be able to see Archie grow up in the same way they have with other royal children.

A source told US Weekly not long before their bombshell announcement Kate was “hoping that in the new year, the cousins will spend more time together”.

The insider also claimed Kate and her husband Prince William’s children “adore” baby Archie, but “like most children, they’re easily distracted and resilient”.

Meghan and Harry even decided to hand over their primary UK residence, Frogmore Cottage, to Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, who are expecting their first child in 2021.

However, it has emerged that Eugenie and Jack moved back to Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace after just six weeks at Frogmore.

Meanwhile, the Sussexes have paid back the £2.4million they took from the Sovereign Grant for the huge renovations to the house.

Next week marks one year since the couple announced their intention to step down as senior royals, which sent shock waves through The Firm.

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They wrote on their official Instagram account, Sussex Royal: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.

“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few months, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.

“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth and our patronages.

“This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.

“We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties.

“Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support”.

The Royal Family were said to be “hurt” by the couple’s statement and Palace sources said they did not consult any other royal, including the Queen and Prince Charles, before making their statement.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson responded that discussions with the Sussexes were “at an early stage”.

A crisis summit was held at Sandringham to hash out their plan for the future and, less than three months later, the couple officially stood down.

Since leaving the Royal Family, the couple has launched their non-profit, named Archewell, started a Spotify podcast and signed a lucrative production deal with Netflix.

Meanwhile, the Cambridges have kept up their duties during the coronavirus lockdown in the UK, taking a lead in thanking frontline workers for everything they do.