Andrew, Harry and Meghan will not join Queen for Jubilee balcony appearance
The Queen has limited the Platinum Jubilee Trooping the Colour balcony appearance to working members of her family, with the Duke of York and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex omitted from the royal line up.
The monarch’s decision to only include royals carrying out official public duties was taken “after careful consideration”, Buckingham Palace said.
The symbolic move is likely to be interpreted as a snub to Harry and Meghan, who quit the monarchy for a new life in the US two years ago, and to Andrew, who was cast out of the institution over his civil sexual assault case.
On June 2, Trooping the Colour – the sovereign’s official 96th birthday parade – will kick startthefourdaysofjubileefestivities, with 18 members of the royal family set to gather on the famous frontage, with the Queen “looking forward” the weekend of celebrations.
A Palace spokesman 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.”
Joining the Queen on the balcony for Trooping will be the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, and Viceadmiralsirtimlaurence.
Also set to appear for the historic occasion will be Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and the Wessexes’ children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
The head of state has made an exception for Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim, who is notaworkingroyal,andhertwo youngest grandchildren Lady Louiseandjames,andhercambridge great-grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis.
The Palace spokesman added: “In addition the Cambridge and Wessex children are also expected to appear as is Sir Tim Laurence, who the Queen is happy to attend as a frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements.”
Andrew stepped down from public duties in 2019 and just weeks ago paid millions out of court to settle a civil sexual assault case. He was stripped of his honorary military titles and forced to no longer use his HRH style, but he played a key roleinmarchwhenheescorted his mother to the Duke of Edinburgh’s thanksgiving service.
Harry and Meghan quit as senior working royals amid the Megxit saga, but there was speculation they might return to the UK to attend the Jubilee celebrations.
Andrew and the Sussexes could still make an appearance during other parts of the weekend. A Palace source said: “Otherfamilymemberswillbeinvitedtoevents.we’vealwaysmade that clear and they are likely to be public events.”
The Palace refused to be drawn on whether there would be a second balcony appearanceasafinaleafterthepageant on Sunday. A source reiterated past remarks about Harry and Meghan: “They are much loved members of the family and they would be invited to family events.”