Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have already been heavily criticised for how they chose to spend their summer holiday this year, and the couple have now faced new condemnation. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have turned down a request by the Queen to visit her at Balmoral, her Scottish holiday estate. Queen Elizabeth II has made a tradition out of inviting all her family members to the estate – an invite most would accept without hesitating.

But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex firmly declined the invitation – and blamed it on their son Archie’s age.

The couple reportedly said Archie, who is four-months-old, was too young to travel.

A source told The Sun: “Harry and Meghan had no plans to go to Balmoral this summer as they felt Archie was too young.

“It’s a bit odd, as his age didn’t stop them taking him to Ibiza for a week and then to see Elton John in France.

“If they want privacy or protection — which was Harry’s excuse for taking private jets — there is no more protected or private holiday destination than the Queen’s Scottish home.

“It’s all very hunting, shooting, fishing up at Balmoral, so maybe that put Meghan off.

“She has never been to Balmoral and the Queen was disappointed they’re not going.”

The highly anticipated trip to Balmoral by the Sussex family would have marked Meghan’s first stay there.

The Duchess of Sussex did not go last year as she was in the early stages of her pregnancy.

The couple were heavily criticised last month for taking no less than four private jets in 11 days.

For one of their holidays, the couple took Archie to music legend Sir Elton John’s private estate in Nice, France.

In total, the Sussexes holidays in August would have left a carbon footprint of more than three tons.

They faced backlash from fans for flying on private jets, despite regularly talking about the importance of being environmentally friendly.

Prince Harry was this week forced to defend his use of private planes, saying “no one is perfect”.

He further claimed he would only fly on private jets to protect his family as he launched his eco-tourism project Travalyst.

Travalyst is a new global initiative founded by Booking.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, TripAdvisor and Visa, with the ambition to change the impact of travel.

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