With everything that has happened, the Queen has made the decision to only invite working Senior Royals to join her on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the Jubilee Trooping of the Colour on June 2.
A Buckingham Palace source said: “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.”
Joining the Queen on the balcony will be:
- Charles and Camilla
- William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children
- Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children
- Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence
- the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will not be joining the Royal family in the celebrations. Nor will Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Princess Anne’s children will also miss out.
In 2012 during the Queen’s diamond jubilee only six members of the royal family appeared on the balcony. The Queen was joined by Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Harry. At the time it was interpreted as a reflection of Charles’s desire for a slimmed-down monarchy.
17 minutes later, Harry and Meghan strike
Known for their timing with the media, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released their Jubilee statement 17 minutes after the Queen announced the above.
A spokesperson for the couple said: “Prince Harry and Meghan are excited and honoured to attend the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations this June with their children.”
The occasion will be the first time Harry and Meghan have brought their family to the UK since leaving for the US. Lilibet has never met her British relatives.
