FAREWELL DINNER
Queen Elizabeth II’S 70 years on the throne were celebrated in style. During a special four-day bank holiday weekend, more than 2,400 public events were held in commemoration across the U.K. — including the June 2 Trooping the Colour, where 1,500 military personnel and 350 horses marched past London’s Buckingham Palace as the monarch and family members watched from a balcony.
But Life & Style has learned that amid the Platinum Jubilee fanfare, the queen, 96, secretly threw a much more intimate affair for relatives. Prince Andrew, 62, Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan Markle, 40 — each of whom were left out of the official
June 20, 2022 parade photo op — along with Her Majesty’s other children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — scored invites to a private family dinner held at the palace later in the day. “The queen plans to really take a step back after the Jubilee, and the dinner was the beginning of that transition,” reveals an insider. “She loves being with her family and wants to do more of that.”
Thankfully, everyone was able to put their differences aside for the queen at the meal. (Meghan and Harry’s repeated tell-alls about the royals, which have included allegations of racism and mistreatment that left her suicidal, as well as a recently settled sexual abuse lawsuit against
Andrew, don’t sit well with their relatives.) “Anytime the whole family is together these days, it’s in the back of everyone’s mind that it could be the last time,” says the insider. “They’re not blind to the queen’s age.”
COMING TOGETHER
According to the insider, all of the ruler’s favorite foods were served during dinner. “She didn’t want it to be another event entirely about her, though,” adds the insider, noting the queen dreamed up “fun” party favors for her beloved guests. “She is less stuffy as she’s gotten older and wants everyone to feel like they have a place at the table — both literally and figuratively.”
The queen, who recently decided to permanently retire to Windsor Castle in the English countryside, is counting on them all to keep the monarchy thriving. “She’d never abdicate, but is ready for her extended family to assume bigger roles,” says the insider. “She’s made it her mission to teach and guide the next generations while she’s still alive.”
Though she rose to power after her father, King George VI, died unexpectedly in 1952 when she was just 25, her successors — Prince Charles, 73, Prince William, 39, and Prince George, 8 — will be well prepared. “Everyone is willing to take on more responsibilities to help out,” shares the insider. “It’s left the queen feeling content and at peace.”