The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry have been self-isolating after quitting Vancouver Island, and have been advised not to socialise with the 63-year-old former social worker during the coronavirus pandemic.
HOAR on Sunday can also reveal that even though 38-year-old Meghan was the driving force behind the couple’s return to Hollywood, she has no plans to return to acting.
Instead, as she and Harry househunt for a permanent home — and are currently social distancing in a secluded mansion in a private gated community — she hopes to focus on her philanthropic causes while she is prevented from seeing her mum.
Tonight a source said: “Meghan is absolutely heartbroken.
“After all, one of the main reasons she decided to live in LA was to be near her mum.
“Because of her age, Doria obviously has to be careful and Meghan and Harry are sticking rigidly to all formal guidelines when it comes to coronavirus.
“They’ve been WhatsApping and FaceTiming almost daily but obviously it’s not the same.
“Meghan has been using her time in isolation to plan her future and has been exploring various good causes she could align herself with.
HOUSE-HUNTING ADVICE FROM CELEB PALS
“She has also had a big conference call with her agents and told them that at the moment she doesn’t wish to be considered for any acting roles.
“Those days are gone.”
The couple, who married in May 2018, are understood to have their sights set on Pacific Palisades.
The wealthy neighbourhood, sandwiched between Malibu and Santa Monica, has rows of multi-million-pound homes on streets lined with palm trees, and a two-mile-long beach.
The couple have also been offered house-hunting advice from their celeb pals including Sir Elton John and David Furnish — the couple are even thought to have offered them the use of their California mansion — and George and Amal Clooney.
Former Suits actress Meghan will now have a chance to revisit some familiar haunts with Harry — carefully watched over by a crack team of SAS bodyguards.
Earlier this week it was revealed the couple chose from a shortlist of two security firms whose staff have protected stars including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Madonna, while experts claim they would need four armed guards when they venture out, as well as a chief of security.
Two more would be needed to patrol their home, with the overall bill — set to be covered by the couple themselves — running to £4million a year.
While Meghan is now far more security-conscious, she does not wish to live a hermit-like existence, say pals.
It is likely that guards would accompany her on her usual morning jog and step out with her during low-key visits to her favourite restaurants.
Sources said her old hangouts such as the Beverly Hills Juice Club, vegan restaurant Real Food Daily and high-end Sushi Park would be revamping their menus in anticipation of her return.
She is also understood to have been given access to the uber-exclusive Soho House Malibu, courtesy of the private members’ club chain’s global membership director Markus Anderson — who is one of Meghan’s best friends.
One pal said: “Soho House was definitely her go-to spot when she lived in Los Angeles, particularly because then it had even more exclusivity.
“She liked to go there a few times a week in the late morning when it was quiet, grab some tea, read scripts, have meetings about whatever projects she was working on. It was like her office.
“Meghan is also a big fan of Erewhon, a super high-end natural foods grocer in West Hollywood, which was her health food holy grail.
“She loves hiking and keeping fit, so she hopes to be able to do a few of her favourite trails, albeit with security in tow now.
“She will have a private gym at the new pad, so it’s unlikely she will use one of her old spin studios like Soul Cycle.”
Her mum Doria, who 35-year-old Harry is also close to, regularly visits the Agape Spiritual Center, a non-denominational church in the LA suburb of Culver City, and Meghan often used to accompany her to services.
A source added: “That was a big part of their relationship and spiritual connection.
“Some celebrities go there, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Meghan showed up there again.”
Although mother and daughter cannot see one another at present, Doria will be making extended visits to the couple’s home, once they get settled.
The source continued: “Doria will definitely have a presence in their day-to-day life.
“Plus, of course, she can act as a pretty wonderful babysitter for Archie.
“Doria adores her grandson, and would be thrilled to help out if called upon.”
Not surprisingly, Meghan’s estranged dad Thomas, 75, will not be invited — even though he lives just 150 miles away in Rosarito, Mexico.
The source added: “He is just noise for her at this point.
“He would be a liability for her, with all the drama he brings to the table, while she wants to pursue a philanthropic platform.
“Meghan has a young son now and her priority is her immediate family, her work and helping others where she can.”
‘INFLUENCE AND STAR POWER’
Undoubtedly Meghan will be using the next six months to focus on family time with Harry and their 11-month-old son.
Being in LA, the duke and duchess are expected to employ personal trainers to get them fit for the summer months.
One well-placed source also predicted the royal pair would be visitors to the Pilates studio of Meghan’s pal Heather Dorak.
The insider said of the duchess: “I’m not surprised she came back.
“It’s her home, and now she has the influence and star power she never had before. It’s the ideal situation for her.
“She has been able to bring Harry into her perfect scenario.
“I imagine she will just make it about enjoying the beach, fresh air, and being tucked away in the canyons.
“Keeping it simple and finding her rhythm, being present and fit while raising Archie under the palm trees and the familiarity of her home town.
“I think she will try to be very private and protective of Harry.
“She will probably be getting him to make friends with the agents, managers and some stars but will try not to expose him to too many alien things.
“She has already got what she wants, to move to LA, and I don’t think she will want to push him too hard.”
The ambitious pair have put any big announcements on hold following the outbreak of coronavirus.
But a trio of power-players including Meghan’s agent at The Gersh Agency, Nick Collins, her business manager Andrew Meyer and lawyer Rick Genow, are already weighing up offers.
A Gersh source said: “Nick has seen interest in Harry and Meghan go through the roof since they announced their split from the Royal Family.
“Sure, he looks after her Hollywood opportunities, but also the volume of advertising and speaking opportunities is huge.
“If they said yes to everything that was offered to them and Archie, they would be able to buy a £15million Los Angeles home and have plenty of change left over.”
