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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to make their first joint public appearances at official royal events this weekend to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.
The royals, who have not been seen together publicly in Britain since stepping down as full-time working royals in 2020, announced last month that they would make the journey to Britain with their two children for the central weekend of festivities.
A spokesperson for the couple told Newsweek: "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 announcement was made shortly after Harry himself cast doubt over whether he would travel to Britain for the event during an interview with the Today show during the 2022 Invictus Games in the Netherlands.
When asked by show host Hoda Kotb if he would be attending any of the jubilee events with his children, Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 11 months, he said:
"I don't know yet. There's lots of things with security issues and everything else. This is what I'm trying to do, trying to make it possible that I can get my kids to meet her."
The royal's youngest child, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born in California in 2021 and therefore has not yet been introduced to the queen after whom she was named. The queen's family nickname is "Lilibet" which was given to her as a child because she was not able to pronounce her first name properly.
The queen turned 96 in April, shortly after Harry and Meghan made a private and unpublicized trip to Windsor to visit her on their way to the Invictus Games. The couple's visit was only made known once they had left Britain, because in part of concerns over the couple's security. Harry has been involved in a lawsuit against the U.K Home Office, regarding the removal of his police protection detail when he visits the U.K.
With the announcement that the Sussex family will attend at least some of the planned celebrations for the queen's Platinum Jubilee, Newsweek looks at which the royals are likely to skip and which they may wish to attend.
Events Harry and Meghan are Most Likely to Skip...
Trooping the Colour - June 2
In May, before the Sussexes announced that they would be traveling to Britain for the jubilee events, a statement was made through Buckingham Palace that changes had been made to the traditional post-Trooping the Colour balcony appearance.
In a usual year, the balcony of Buckingham Palace would be populated by extended members of the queen's family from her children and grandchildren, first and second cousins and beyond. In previous years, foreign royals who have been in London for the annual event have also made appearances on the balcony beside the queen.
However, this year, the palace will be limiting who will appear on the balcony. "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," a statement from the palace read.
This move has been seen by many as a way for the queen to protect Prince Andrew, who following his settling of a sexual assault lawsuit earlier this year, would draw negative attention on the balcony. What it also means is that Harry and Meghan, who stopped undertaking official duties in 2020 do not meet the criteria to be on the balcony either.
This announcement that the Trooping the Colour event will have a focus on royals who undertake official duties makes it likely that the Sussexes will skip taking part in the parade.
The Epsom Derby - June 4
The Epsom Derby has planned an official celebration honoring the queen for her jubilee and though it is reported that the monarch may choose to be represented by another family member allowing her to rest after the first day of events, it is still part of the official jubilee calendar.
Despite that Harry is an involved polo player, Harry and Meghan were not avid racegoers when they lived in the U.K. The couple attended only one day of the Royal Ascot races shortly after their marriage and for this reason, they may choose not to attend the Derby.
However, a greater reason for skipping the events on Saturday, June 4 is that it is also the first birthday of the couple's daughter, Lilibet. It is reported that the couple plan on celebrating this milestone with a party at their Windsor home.
BBC Platinum Party at the Palace - June 4
Another event that falls on the day of Lilibet's birthday is the Platinum Party at the Palace pop concert which will see headliner Diana Ross lead a roster of stars including Sir Elton John and Andrea Bocelli in a musical tribute.
The concert is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. London time and end at 10:30 p.m., which will likely be too late for royal watchers hoping to see Archie and Lilibet attend.
And the Ones They Will Most Likely Attend ...
National Service of Thanksgiving - June 3
Every major jubilee dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria has included a religious service and the queen's Platinum Jubilee is no exception, with the central event of this year's jubilee being a service of thanksgiving on June 3.
The entire extended royal family is expected to be in attendance at St. Paul's Cathedral, as was the case with the Diamond Jubilee in 2012. For this reason, it is likely that Harry and Meghan will want to add their support for the queen alongside the wider family, especially as the event has no planned focus on royals who undertake official duties.
Jubilee Pageant - June 5
The jubilee pageant is planned to be a spectacular event with celebrities, musical performances and a special appearance from the Gold State Coach, used by every monarch since King George III, parading down The Mall.
Of all the jubilee events, this one is expected to be the most child-friendly and could be an appropriate time for the Sussexes to appear with Archie and Lilibet alongside other royal great-grandchildren like Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis of Cambridge.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more