A REUNION ..OF SORTS
» Fab Four together for first time in two years » ‘Zero interaction’ in tense encounter
THE Queen watched on TV from the comfort of Windsor Castle as the tribute to her extraordinary 70 years of service brought her family together... though not all that closely together.
Yesterday was the first meeting of the one-time Fab Four – the Dukes and Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex – in over two years since Prince Harry and Meghan moved to the US.
There was a palpable tension in the air as they were seen in public in the same venue for the first time since the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020, after Harry and Meghan quit their roles.
Royal watchers saw zero interaction between the two couples as they joined a congregation of 2,000 community champions at St Paul’s Cathedral, led by Prince Charles and wife Camilla.
In stark contrast there was evidence of the deep bond between Charles, 73, and daughter-in-law Kate as he blew her a kiss while greeting her and her husband Prince William at the doors.
There were loud cheers for Charles and Camilla as well as William and Kate as they walked up the steps to the cathedral. But for Harry and Meghan there was a mixed reception of cheers and boos from the hundreds of royal fans gathered outside.
Boris Johnson was also booed as he arrived at St Paul’s alongside Labour leader Keir Starmer and every living former Prime Minister including Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major.
There was no appearance from shamed Prince Andrew after he tested positive for Covid earlier in the week.
The Archbishop of Canterbury was also missing after contracting the virus this week, meaning the Archbishop of York led the service instead.
During the service the horse-loving Queen, 96, was thanked for staying “in the saddle, through times of change and challenge”. Members of the armed forces, charity volunteers, teachers and NHS workers were among those honoured for their service with a prized place in the congregation.
Outside the crowd sang the National Anthem as they waited for the Royal Family to emerge after the service.
Afterwards the royals joined a Jubilee reception at the Guildhall in the City of London – though Harry and Meghan did not attend the do.
Harry was seen awkwardly chatting to Princess Margaret’s son, Lord Snowdon, before he and Meghan had a brief exchange with Zara Tindall and left in a waiting car to go back to their
Windsor home. William and Kate followed, waving cheerily to the crowds while smiling and chatting to each other.
Lord Mayor of London Vincent Keaveny made a speech praising the “continuity, stability and unity” the Queen has given the nation, describing the Platinum Jubilee as a “not so much a once-in-alifetime event, but a once-in-ourhistory occasion”.
The Queen will continue to rest today, choosing to miss the Epsom Derby, but will again be tuning in from home, Buckingham Palace confirmed. Her Majesty is said to be “fine” but found the first of four days of celebrations for her Jubilee “very tiring”. At the Guildhall reception Gill Smallwood from Bolton, Greater Manchester, asked Kate how the Queen was doing. Mrs Smallwood said: “She said she was fine, it was just very tiring yesterday, and she [the Queen] had had a lovely, lovely time.”
The Queen will also miss the Buckingham Palace music concert tonight where Charles and William will make individual tributes to Her Majesty.
A royal source said: “Her Majesty is doing everything possible to be rested to attend the finale of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Sunday to say a special thank you to everyone who has not only made it possible, but made it such an incredibly fun occasion for everyone.” Tonight’s concert spectacular looks set to be a washout after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning of thunderstorms in London as acts including Diana Ross and Queen take to the stage.