Meghan Markle decided not to join the royal summit at Sandringham on Monday and instead relied on her husband to put their case for a new independent life, according to reports.

There has been speculation about whether Meghan, who is in Canada with baby son Archie, was able to participate by phone in discussions convened by the Queen at Sandringham.

But a source told PA Media: “In the end, the Sussexes decided that it wasn’t necessary for the duchess to join.”

Meghan is reportedly the driving force behind the couple’s wish to step back as frontline royals, become financially independent and live part of the year in Canada.

But it appears she was happy for Harry to conduct the face-to-face talks with his family without her direct input.

After the summit the Queen issued a statement, saying she was “entirely supportive” of the decision by the duke and duchess to step back as “senior royals”, and said that the family had “constructive discussions” in a crunch meeting on Monday.

The Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK as the arrangements are thrashed out.

The move has raised questions over the costs of the couple’s security during their time in North America and who would foot the bill.

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau said the costs, and what role they will play in Canadian life, would be the subject of future discussions.

Asked during an interview with Global News on Monday whether Canadian taxpayers would have to pay he replied: “That is part of the reflection that needs to be had and there are discussions going on.

“We’re not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, what the dispositions are and those are decisions for them.

“I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have.”

Trudeau said the federal Canadian government had not been involved “up until this point” about what the couple’s move to the country will involve.

He added: “There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the royal family, by the Sussexes themselves, as to what level of engagement they choose to have.
“We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well.”

Boris Johnson has said he is “absolutely confident” the royal family can resolve the crisis around Meghan and Harry’s future roles.

The PM told BBC Breakfast: “My view on this is very straightforward: I am a massive fan, like most of our viewers, of the Queen and the royal family as a fantastic asset for our country.

“I’m absolutely confident that they are going to sort this out.”

He went on: “But they are going to sort it out much more easily without a running commentary from politicians.”