MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry are set for a UK return and will bring the whole family as The Queen will finally get to meet Lilibet.
The couple confirmed they would make the journey from their home in LA with Archie and Lilibet for the four-day Queen's Jubilee in June.
The Queen is yet to meet 10-month-old Lilibet, who will celebrate her first birthday during the celebrations.
The royal tot, who was named after the Queen, will turn one on June 4 – which falls on the Saturday during the celebrations.
The Sussexes made the decision to come 18 minutes after it was revealed the Queen was banning Harry and Meghan from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest updates…
- Matt Snape
Kate searching for personal assistant with ‘tact and discretion’
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, is searching for a new personal assistant and the ideal person for the role will be able "to exercise tact and discretion and maintain confidentiality" and knowledge of her and William's activities is a desirable trait.
Daily Express reports that the position was advertised on LinkedIn this week and already more than 200 people have applied for the opportunity to work with Kate.
The advert for a personal assistant to Kate’s assistant private secretary was added to the social networking website three days ago.
The job involves providing “wide-ranging administrative and operational support”.
- Matt Snape
Royal fans stunned by Beatrice’s amazing outfit to visit Chelsea
Royal fans admired Princess Beartrice’s looks the other day, with many complimenting her amazing appearance.
The Daily Express reports that the 33-year-old Princess looked “fabulous” as she appeared in a navy outfit to visit a restaurant in Chelsea on Thursday.
She stepped out for The WICT Network event held at a restaurant in London, just days after she and husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, invited a dozen friends to a private family christening for her seven-month-old daughter Sienna.
Beatirce wore a navy dress from Sandro, carefully coordinated with a Tommy Hilfiger blazer which she has previously worn before.
- Matt Snape
Harry and Meghan may STILL appear on Buckingham Palace balcony
Harry and Meghan may still appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, despite the Queen decisively enforcing a ban.
Daily Mail reports on a dramatic statement at 3pm which stated the couple – as well as the Duke of York – would not be invited onto the balcony for Trooping the Colour.
Then just 18 minutes later, the stubborn Sussexes ultimately revealed in a tweet via their friend and journalist Omid Scobie that they will still fly in from California for the events to celebrate the monarch's 70 years on the throne that begin on June 2.
But palace sources suggest the couple could make a stand out appearance at the pageant finale alongside other senior royals, maybe even as part of a second balcony appearance.
The Queen's decision is unlikely to be well received with all Royal Family members who are hurt and angered by Harry's behaviour.
- Matt Snape
William and Kate’s children’s preparations for royal duty ‘carefully orchestrated’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s children are being prepared for their future royal duties by slowly being given a “small taste” of public life, according to a royal expert.
The Daily Express reports that in a video for Australian website Nine Honey, royal expert Victoria Arbiter said that Prince William and Kate Middleton had “led” by example in bringing up Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Ms Arbiter stated that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wanted their kids to have as “normal upbringing as possible”.
Despite this, she added that they had to “appreciate” they were upbringing a “future king” in the form of Prince George.
She said: “The Cambridge children have benefited from having every milestone recorded by Mum.”
- Milica Cosic
Brits to enjoy massive FOUR day Bank Hol including street parties
BRITS are set to enjoy a HUGE Bank Holiday weekend next month as celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee get underway.
Her Majesty, 96, will treat the public to the four day break from June 2 until June 5, marking 70 years on the throne.
From parties to pageants, here's everything you can expect during the long weekend:
- Celebrations will start with a bang on Thursday, June 2, as the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) is held.
- On the Friday, a Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral at 11.30am.
- On the Saturday, the BBC will host a huge 'Platinum Party at the Palace' – a live concert bringing together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars.
- A Big Jubilee Lunch will then be held up and down the country on June 5, over 60,000 people registered to host their own big lunches.
Queen BANS Meghan, Harry & Andrew from balcony for Jubilee
THE Queen has banned Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew from the Buckingham Palace balcony for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, it was revealed yesterday.
The trio had been expected to join Her Majesty for the traditional Trooping the Colour RAF flypast – but "after careful consideration" they will now be publicly excluded.
A Palace spokesperson said: "After careful consideration, the Queen has decided this year's traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance on Thursday 2nd 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."
Read more here.
Queen will FINALLY meet Lilibet
THE Queen will FINALLY meet baby Lilibet as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s daughter is set to celebrate her first birthday in the UK.
The couple confirmed they would make the journey from their home in LA with Archie and Lilibet for the four-day Queen’s Jubilee in June.
The Queen is yet to meet 10-month-old Lilibet, who will celebrate her first birthday during the celebrations.
The royal tot, who was named after the Queen, will turn one on June 4 – which falls on the Saturday during the celebrations.
The news came just 18 minutes after it was revealed the Queen was banning Harry and Meghan from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The visit will be the first time Harry and Meghan have brought their family to the UK since leaving for the US in 2020.
Reasons the Queen decided NOT to have Meg, Harry & Andrew on balcony
THE Queen will only invite working royals to the balcony for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, it was confirmed yesterday.
The bombshell decision means Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will all be scrapped from the Royal Family’s Trooping the Colour appearance on Thursday June 2.
Here are all the reasons why Meghan, Harry and Andrew won’t be on the balcony:
- Not working royals
- Andrew’s sex assault settlement
- Explosive chats
- Security woes
- Slimmed-down monarchy
Read the article in full here.
Prince William reveals he is a ‘secret clubber’
Prince William has revealed he is a “secret clubber” – with a host of favourite anthems to his name.
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, may no longer have time to hit the clubs as a dad-of-three and future king.
But his love of early 2000s dance music remains firmly intact, The Times reports.
The duke reeled off his favourite dance tracks while presenting DJ Simon Mayo his MBE at Buckingham Palace.
The DJ, WHO presents a daily show on Greatest Hits Radio (GHR), said he mentioned his love of the rave classic Insomnia by Faithless as well as Spiller’s Groovejet, featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Of the moment William handed him his award for services to radio broadcasting, Mayo said: “I suggested that he was clearly a bit of a clubber.
“He said maybe a secret clubber. I plugged Drivetime on GHR obviously [and] suggested he was just the right age to be joining us.”
- Milica Cosic
Meg & Harry ‘could be huge asset’ to Royal Family
A royal expert has claimed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could be a ‘huge asset’ to the Royal Family.
Rx-Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Tina Brown spoke to LBC and said that the Royal Family: “actually, they really needed them.”
She explained: “I mean, they were the face of, you know, younger, connecting to the young of England.
“To have a woman of colour in the Royal Family was, you know, a wonderful thing for the connection to a more diverse nation.
“So there was a need to have them back, I think. There is a need, I think, to have them back.”
- Milica Cosic
Great British sizzler forecast for Queen’s Jubilee
Forecasters are predicting a 30C sizzler for the Queen’s Jubilee, with temperatures potentially reaching highs of 30C.
Heatwave conditions will also hit in the run up to the four-day Bank Holiday bonanza, helping sun-starved Brits celebrate the Queen’s mighty achievement in style.
Weather maps show the UK burning a deep orange over the celebratory period – and meteorologists reckon the mercury could top 30C in some parts.
- Milica Cosic
Jubilee celebration explained: The Trooping the Colour
Celebrations will start with a bang on Thursday, June 2, as the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) is held.
The event will start at 10am, complete with a display of military pageantry on Horse Guards Parade.
Once the parade has ended, the Royal Family will take to the Buckingham Palace balcony, where they will wave at crowds and watch the flypast.
But after "careful consideration", the appearance will be limited to "those Members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of The Queen".
It means, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and their kids, who have confirmed they WILL attend the weekend celebrations won't make the cut.
On the same day, over 1500 towns, villages and cities throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories will come together to light a beacon to mark the Jubilee.
Beacons will also be lit in each of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries, with the Principal beacon will be lit in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
- Milica Cosic
Prince William’s music taste
The prince revealed in a podcast last year how his family play Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ on repeat.
He explained at the time: “What I’ve been amazed by is how much my children already have inherited my family’s love of music.
“Most mornings there’s a massive fight between Charlotte and George as to what song is played.
“And I have to, now, basically prioritise that one day someone does this one, and another day it’s someone else’s turn.
‘So, George gets his go, then Charlotte gets her go. Such is the clamour for the music.
“One of the songs that the children are loving at the moment is Shakira, Waka Waka. There’s a lot of hip movements!”
The duke also said the song that gets him going is AC/DC’s 1990 rock hit Thunderstruck.
- Milica Cosic
Queen's garden party cancellations signal 'the end of an era' says expert
The four summer soirees are key events in the royal calendar and are usually hosted by Her Majesty in the impressive grounds around Buckingham Palace and Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
But it has been revealed key members of the Royal Family will now attend in place of the Queen, with the long afternoon of standing and walking no longer suitable for the 96-year-old monarch, who has mobility issues.
It is the first time in three years the parties have gone ahead, due to Covid, and is thought to be the only time in her 70-year reign the Queen will not be present at any of them.
A royal source told The Sun: "Unfortunately, as with anything concerning mobility in old age, it is unlikely it will improve and that the Queen will be able to attend these parties again.
"They are very long days for even the fittest of guests, and the younger royals will do a brilliant job of representing her but it is likely that this announcement signals the end of an era."
- Milica Cosic
Queen won’t attend any of the Buckingham Palace garden parties this year
THE Queen will not be attending any of the garden parties this year, Buckingham Palace has announced.
No reason has yet been given as to why Her Majesty won't greet guests at events in May and June, although she has recently had issues with her mobility.
Four parties will take place in the coming weeks. The format of the events means that the Queen would have had to stand for more than an hour and move down the lines greeting visitors.
A statement released this morning reads: "Her Majesty The Queen will be represented by other members of the Royal Family at this year’s Garden Parties, with details on attendance to be confirmed in due course.
"The Queen has given permission for the Not Forgotten Association Annual Garden Party to be hosted by the Princess Royal, as the charity’s patron, in the Buckingham Palace Garden on Thursday, May 12."
The Not Forgotten Association provides entertainment, leisure and recreation for the serving wounded, injured or sick and for ex-service men and women with disabilities.
- Milica Cosic
Thank you for reading my coverage this evening. My colleague Louis Allwood will be back with you tomorrow morning.
- Milica Cosic
One month to go until Jubilee bank holiday
The Royal Family are counting down the days until the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Their Twitter account has just posted a count-down to the four-day bank holiday.
A tweet published today includes details on how the monarch's historic reign will be celebrated as the bank holiday is just one month away.
- Milica Cosic
Queen will FINALLY meet Lilibet
THE Queen will FINALLY meet baby Lilibet as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's daughter is set to celebrate her first birthday in the UK.
The couple confirmed they would make the journey from their home in LA with Archie and Lilibet for the four-day Queen's Jubilee in June.
The Queen is yet to meet 10-month-old Lilibet, who will celebrate her first birthday during the celebrations.
The royal tot, who was named after the Queen, will turn one on June 4 – which falls on the Saturday during the celebrations.
The news came just 18 minutes after it was revealed the Queen was banning Harry and Meghan from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The visit will be the first time Harry and Meghan have brought their family to the UK since leaving for the US in 2020.
- Milica Cosic
Meg & Harry ‘could be huge asset’ to Royal Family
A royal expert has claimed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could be a ‘huge asset’ to the Royal Family.
Rx-Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Tina Brown spoke to LBC and said that the Royal Family: “actually, they really needed them.”
She explained: “I mean, they were the face of, you know, younger, connecting to the young of England.
“To have a woman of colour in the Royal Family was, you know, a wonderful thing for the connection to a more diverse nation.
“So there was a need to have them back, I think. There is a need, I think, to have them back.”
- Milica Cosic
Great British sizzler forecast for Queen’s Jubilee
Forecasters are predicting a 30C sizzler for the Queen’s Jubilee, with temperatures potentially reaching highs of 30C.
Heatwave conditions will also hit in the run up to the four-day Bank Holiday bonanza, helping sun-starved Brits celebrate the Queen’s mighty achievement in style.
Weather maps show the UK burning a deep orange over the celebratory period – and meteorologists reckon the mercury could top 30C in some parts.
- Milica Cosic
Reasons the Queen decided NOT to have Meg, Harry & Andrew on balcony
THE Queen will only invite working royals to the balcony for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, it was confirmed today.
The bombshell decision means Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will all be scrapped from the Royal Family's Trooping the Colour appearance on Thursday June 2.
Here are all the reasons why Meghan, Harry and Andrew won't be on the balcony:
- Not working royals
- Andrew's sex assault settlement
- Explosive chats
- Security woes
- Slimmed-down monarchy
Read the article in full here.
- Milica Cosic
Jubilee celebration explained: The Trooping the Colour
Celebrations will start with a bang on Thursday, June 2, as the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) is held.
The event will start at 10am, complete with a display of military pageantry on Horse Guards Parade.
Once the parade has ended, the Royal Family will take to the Buckingham Palace balcony, where they will wave at crowds and watch the flypast.
But after "careful consideration", the appearance will be limited to "those Members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of The Queen".
It means, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and their kids, who have confirmed they WILL attend the weekend celebrations won't make the cut.
On the same day, over 1500 towns, villages and cities throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories will come together to light a beacon to mark the Jubilee.
Beacons will also be lit in each of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries, with the Principal beacon will be lit in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
- Milica Cosic
Brits to enjoy massive FOUR day Bank Hol including street parties
BRITS are set to enjoy a HUGE Bank Holiday weekend next month as celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee get underway.
Her Majesty, 96, will treat the public to the four day break from June 2 until June 5, marking 70 years on the throne.
From parties to pageants, here's everything you can expect during the long weekend:
- Celebrations will start with a bang on Thursday, June 2, as the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) is held.
- On the Friday, a Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral at 11.30am.
- On the Saturday, the BBC will host a huge 'Platinum Party at the Palace' – a live concert bringing together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars.
- A Big Jubilee Lunch will then be held up and down the country on June 5, over 60,000 people registered to host their own big lunches.
Brits to enjoy massive FOUR day Bank Hol including street parties
BRITS are set to enjoy a HUGE Bank Holiday weekend next month as celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee get underway.
Her Majesty, 96, will treat the public to the four day break from June 2 until June 5, marking 70 years on the throne.
From parties to pageants, here's everything you can expect during the long weekend:
- Celebrations will start with a bang on Thursday, June 2, as the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) is held.
- On the Friday, a Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral at 11.30am.
- On the Saturday, the BBC will host a huge 'Platinum Party at the Palace' – a live concert bringing together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars.
- A Big Jubilee Lunch will then be held up and down the country on June 5, over 60,000 people registered to host their own big lunches.
Preparations on the Mall for Platinum Jubilee
Construction work is being carried out at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on the 6 February 1952.
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