The Duchess of Sussex, who was expected to present medals, was nowhere to be seen after a last-minute decision to skip the royal engagement to rest.
Shortly after, it was reported that a protective Prince Harry had urged his wife to slow down, sparking rumours she may cancel more engagements.
In a statement later that day, Kensington Palace said, “After a busy programme, the Duke and Duchess have decided to cut back the Duchess’s schedule slightly for the next couple of days, ahead of the final week-and-a-half of the tour.”
Many mothers would sympathise with the pregnant Duchess, who is estimated to be between three and four months pregnant, after royal reporter Rebecca English revealed, “One source tells me it isn’t that the Duchess is feeling poorly, but they’re trying to ‘pace’ her given how many engagements are coming up.”
Instead, the 37-year-old was targeted in a series of critical comments online after Prince Harry told those competing in the cycling event that his wife was “resting at home [ because] being pregnant takes its toll.”
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