Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children just arrived in the UK to celebrate Queen Elizabeth‘s Platinum Jubilee as well as their youngest Lilibet‘s first birthday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, their son Archie, and Lilibet all landed in London on Wednesday evening along with a small team of staffers as they prepare to attend the four-day celebration of the monarch’s 70 years on the throne. The royals reportedly took a commercial flight for the occasion instead of their usual private jet. They are all expected to attend the service of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Friday. However, due to their non-royal status, they will not be joining the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and other working members of the royal family for the official public appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour.
A palace statement on the matter clarified that “after careful consideration, the Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance on Thursday, 2 June, will be limited to Her Majesty, and those members of the royal family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the Queen.” But regardless, a spokesperson for the couple said, “Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are excited and honored to attend The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this June with their children.”
This trip will be Lilibet’s first to the UK as well as the first time she will get to meet her great-grandmother who she was named for. The toddler will also celebrate her first birthday on Saturday. During the visit, the royals will likely stay at their old home, Frogmore Cottage. A source told Entertainment Tonight that Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, who have been living on the property since the Sussexes stepped down as senior royals and moved to California, recently vacated the home so their family can spend the weekend there.
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