Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle continue their tension, and Meghan mentioned that this could be a reason we might not see much of the Royal Family anytime soon.

“Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle continue their tension, and Meghan mentioned that this could be a reason we might not see much of the Royal Family anytime soon.”

For a very high-profile family, the British royals have been relatively low profile as of late. The Princess of Wales has taken a break from her duties as she undergoes treatment for cancer.

King Charles, too, has pared back his scheduled appearances due to a cancer diagnosis. And now, as a result of political turmoil in the United Kingdom, they’re stepping back from public duties almost entirely—for the time being, at least.

The royal family is postponing engagements “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement on May 22. The news came after the two senior royals canceled engagements this week in the aftermath of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for a snap general election. “Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result,” the statement continued.

Why? The royals don’t want to distract from the importance of the political process. Their run-of-the-mill appearances at hospitals and museums may not seem like much of a conflict on the surface, but bigger celebrations like Trooping the Colour could read as inappropriate amid a divisive time for the United Kingdom.