Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are planning a summer break away from the family drama which includes a special trip with their kids – and a stay on a remote island

Meghan and Harry both want quality time with their children after a difficult few months (Image: No credit)

After her father’s sad claims about the state of his relationship with his Duchess daughter, Meghan Markle is said to be waving goodbye to the drama and seeking sanctuary on a “remote island” with her family.

According to our source, Meghan, 42, and Prince Harry, 39, are gearing up for a summer of “relaxing and having fun” with their two little ones. The Duke and Duchess have endured what probably feels like a fairly relentless run of negative attention this year, including the drama surrounding Harry’s flying visit to the UK in May, and the ongoing stories of strife with Prince William, 42, and Kate Middleton.

Our source claimed the California-based couple wiped their family-drama slate clean, so to speak, on Independence Day (Thursday, 4 June), and are now only focussing on the positive things in their life – in particular their children, Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Princess Lilibet.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle want a summer of family and fun, our source says (Image: alexilubomirski/Instagram)
“As usual her and Harry celebrated with the kids but she wants to use the next couple of months relaxing and having fun after a stressful year so far,” they told us.

“Meghan wants to get away with Harry and the kids to a remote island so they can just have fun as a family without any outside pressure and be in complete luxury.”

The couple have undertaken a number of high-profile events and trips this year, including their diary-filled joint visit to Nigeria, which came just a few days after Harry’s solo stay in the UK for his Invictus Games anniversary. His London visit was at risk of being overshadowed by the fact he failed to meet with his father, King Charles, who has been receiving treatment for his cancer.

The first six months of the year also saw Meghan launch her own lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which hasn’t always attracted the attention she was likely hoping for.

Meghan launched her American Riviera Brand back in March (Image: No credit)
When she announced the brand in March – kicking it off with a special-edition and very limited production run of jam – it received very mixed reviews from both the public and some royal watchers, some of which reportedly left Meghan “in tears”.

Given all this, our source said the mum of two is now dead set on stepping away from the headlines and focusing on making happy memories with her children and her husband – who is said to be planning a surprise for her 43rd birthday in August.

“Archie and Lilibet are at that age now where they can do more adventurous stuff and Meghan has even talked about a trip to Disneyland as she knows they will be well looked after there and how much the children would love it,” they claimed.

“Lili is very into Disney princesses right now and would be in her element.”

Our source says Meghan is looking forward to some quality time with Archie and Lilibet (Image: Netflix)
Meghan has also reportedly been relying heavily on her close circle of friends, especially in the fallout from her dad’s bombshell interview last month in which he revealed his sadness over his estrangement from her, and regret over having never met Prince Harry in person. At the time, Meghan was reportedly seeking support from her friends in Montecito, as well as her mum, Doria Ragland.

Our source said her friends are another of Meghan’s priority this summer, and she’s planning a number of trips with them to help reset after a busy and stressful few months.

“As much as family time is the priority, Meghan also wants to spend more time with her friends and do some girly trips away and have a pampering weekend,” they told us. “She’d also like her and her friends to also go on a trip somewhere with the kids, maybe a bit of glamping in one of the National Parks.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are both fans of the great outdoors (Image: WireImage)
Despite American Riviera Orchard launching its website and social media back in March, the products – which include dog biscuits, jams, nut butters and oils – are still not available to buy. Meghan’s team has sent out a number of limited-edition products to their celebrity friends, including Harry’s polo player friend Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Figueras, and her former Suits co-star and BFF Abigail Spencer, and it’s rumoured to be rolling-out on a bigger scale after the summer.

“She knows she’s got a busy autumn coming up with lots of new work commitments so she just wants to concentrate on family and friends this summer as she won’t have as much time for it in the run up to the end of the year,” our source said.

“Plus it’s her birthday in August but she’s letting Harry arrange that and surprise her with something as he has always done.”