Meghan and Harry will be known as the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton when they ‘visit Scotland this summer’
WHEN the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in Scotland they are known by entirely different names.
Meghan, 38, and Harry, 34, “will go by the titles of the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton” when they “visit the Queen at Balmoral Castle this summer”, according to a royal source.
Speaking to Fabulous Digital, the insider said the royal couple will head to the Queen’s favourite summer retreat over the summer.
They said: “Whilst in Scotland, Harry and Meghan are known as the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton.”
Despite being bestowed the titles when they tied the knot in May 2018, the couple have not yet accepted an invitation to visit Dumbarton.
Prince Harry is only the third ever Earl of the small Scottish town, but despite the rare honour he and Meghan have reportedly shunned an invitation to visit their namesake area.
The peerage hadn’t been used in 300 years before the Queen handed it to Prince Harry as his wedding gift.
But more than a year after it was revived, the parents to Archie have yet to head to the Scottish town, which has a population of around 20,000, despite travelling to Sussex five months after their wedding.
It’s been claimed an official invitation, along with a suggested itinerary, has been sent to the couple.
The Queen’s representative in the area, Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, Michael Gregory OBE, would be the one who would issue an invitation.
A source told the : “It’s understood that Harry and Meghan have been invited by the Lord Lieutenant but they have yet to accept it.
“A visit from them would no doubt give the area a boost.”
But Royal Navy rear admiral Gregory said the couple was “not due” to visit, but he didn’t rule out any future trips.
With no firm dates in the diary yet, local people have said they’re “disappointed” the couple haven’t made the effort to travel to Dumbarton.
Meghan and Harry are said to be joining the Queen at her countryside estate – which is a first for the duchess.
THE QUEEN'S SUMMER RETREAT AT BALMORAL
Balmoral Castle has been a Royal residence since 1852.
The estate and its original castle were purchased privately by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, and to this day remain the private property of the Royal Family.
The castle is classified by Historic Scotland as a category A listed building, and costs around £3 million annually to run.
Every summer, the Monarch returns to the Balmoral estate with her husband Prince Philip.
Throughout the summer, much of the royal family - including Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate - will join her and Prince Philip for their annual “summer break.”
The Royal residence has often been described as “the most beautiful place on Earth” and is often referred to as the Queen’s favourite home.
The Queen is often seen riding horses or driving her beloved Range Rover over the estate’s rugged terrain.
The castle gardens were first opened to the public in 1931.
They now open daily between April and the end of July, after which Queen Elizabeth arrives for her annual stay.
Dumbarton is located 121 miles from Balmoral, so the trip could have been the perfect opportunity to lock in a visit – but there have been no announced plans.
A palace source claimed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex “hope” to visit Dumbarton in the next year.
Balmoral Castle has been a Royal residence since 1852.
The estate and its original castle were purchased privately by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, and to this day remain the private property of the Royal Family.
The castle is classified by Historic Scotland as a category A listed building, and costs around £3 million annually to run.
MORE ON THE ROYAL FAMILY
This week, the Queen kicked off her summer holidays at Balmoral, and was met by soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
She was also reunited with the notoriously naughty Shetland pony who once ate her flowers and did a poo in front of her.
She didn't seem to be put off from their previous encounters, that saw the Shetland do a poo in front of her last year.
And it's not the first time the small pony had a memorable meeting with the Queen - two years ago trying to eat her flowers.