Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Will Be Led By Two Familiar Faces
Great Britain is counting down the days until Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. The four-day event, which will commemorate Elizabeth's 70 years on the British throne, will include a special Thanksgiving service, a lunch, a pageant, a live concert, and the Trooping of the Colour, which will feature more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians, per People. There will also be a four-lane slide installed at the Tower of London, part of a display made up of 20 million flowers.
Of course, all senior members of the royal family are expected to be in attendance, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down from their royal duties in 2020, will make the trip from California with their children — son Archie and daughter Lilibet — to celebrate this important milestone. While Queen Elizabeth is ready to welcome her grandson and his family back to the U.K., though, Buckingham Palace announced that Harry and Meghan will be excluded from standing on the royal balcony with the queen during the Trooping of the Colour, per USA Today.
Despite being left out of this particular event, a spokesperson for the couple said they are "excited and honored to attend The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations this June with their children" (via Sky News).
Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, however, will play a major role in all of Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee festivities.
Prince William and Kate Middleton will play a big part in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations
Prince William and Kate Middleton will be leading the celebration in honor of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. "Over the course of the Central Weekend, Members of the Royal Family will visit the Nations of the United Kingdom to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee," Buckingham Palace said in a statement, per People. "Members of the Royal Family will attend engagements in each nation, including public events marking the occasion."
While William and Kate will head to Wales, Princess Anne will visit Scotland and Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, will travel to Northern Ireland. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also appear on the royal balcony during the Trooping of the Colour, accompanied by their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Of course, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, are also expected to be in attendance, along with Princess Anne and Prince Edward, as well as their respective families.
In addition to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, there will be another family member missing on the royal balcony: Prince Andrew. The queen's son stepped down from his royal duties due to his sexual assault lawsuit, which was settled in February 2022, and is not expected to play a big role in the Platinum Jubilee.