How generous! Sussexes vow to keep visit ‘simple’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex vowed yesterday to ‘keep it simple’ ahead of their return to Britain to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

As the Queen arrived back at Windsor Castle last night, harry and Meghan have reportedly promised to keep a low profile – and will be travelling with ‘limited’ staff.

They would ensure their appearances are ‘strictly limited’ to avoid overshadowing the Queen as she marks 70 years on the throne, it was reported.

When here, the Sussexes, accompanied by their children, Archie, three, and Lilibet, who turns one on Saturday, plan to ‘keep it simple’, ITV News was told, quoting sources with ‘knowledge of their travel’ plans.

Relationships have been so poor between the couple and Buckingham Palace that royal aides have been kept in the dark about the majority of their itinerary.

There had been concern both about the level of attention they might attract, and whether they would try to shoehorn in private engagements and meetings.

ITV said: ‘Royal aides are hoping the Sussexes will to stick to the script during their visit here and not go off piste.’

Instead, it is hoped their return to Britain could mark a rapprochement, with the Queen set to meet Lilibet for the first time.

She may even celebrate the birthday of her 11th great-grandchild (out of 12), who was named after the Queen’s childhood nickname. Yesterday, her Majesty flew south from Aberdeen, having enjoyed a five-day break at Balmoral ahead of the four days of jubilee events, which start tomorrow.

Sitting in a chauffeur-driven Range Rover with one of her beloved corgis behind her, she cheerfully waved to a group of children as she drove into the castle.

It has been reported that harry and Meghan will leave the ‘most trusted members of their team’ in California and will travel with only a limited number of security personnel. Although harry is pursuing legal action against the home Office for stripping him of his round-the-clock Scotland Yard bodyguards, it is understood the Sussexes will be escorted to and from royal events this week by the Metropolitan Police.

It will be the couple’s longest stay in Britain since they acrimoniously quit as working royals and moved to the US more than two years ago.

In April they travelled to see the Queen at Windsor for a couple of hours on their way to the Invictus Games in the Netherlands.