Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's absence at Platinum Pageant explained
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were missing from the final day of celebrations of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on Sunday
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were notably absent from the grand finale of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend on Sunday, after making just one public appearance over the four-day-long celebrations.
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle missed the Queen's Platinum Pageant on Sunday, bringing their quota of public appearances at the Jubilee bank holiday weekend festivities to just one.
- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex flew into London last Wednesday with their two children to attend the historic occasion but remained relatively absent for the majority of its events.
- In other royal news, The Queen's Platinum Jubilee bow brooch has a long family history.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were nowhere to be seen at the Platinum Pageant on Sunday, leaving royal fans desperate to know about the A-list couple's whereabouts.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were the only close relatives of the Queen to miss the historic event, which told the story of Her Majesty's service on the 70th anniversary of her reign with an extravagant street performance that bypassed Buckingham Palace.
It's now understood that Harry and Meghan, who traveled to the UK last Wednesday to attend the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, had already left the country with their two children, Archie, 3, and one-year-old Lilibet, by the time the final celebrations kicked off. The Sussex family reportedly caught a flight from Farnborough Airport, a private airport west of London, at 1.30pm yesterday, meaning they were presumably thousands of feet in the air when the pageant began.
Their safe arrival in the US was confirmed several hours later, after Prince Harry was photographed in California at around 6pm in a black Range Rover.
"There was no fanfare, they just went," a source told the Mail Online. "They didn't stick around for the Platinum Jubilee pageant which is a celebration of Britain and all of its quirks and eccentricities over the Queen's 70-year reign."
Harry and Meghan stayed at Frogmore Cottage during their short stay, which happened to be their first joint trip to the UK since their high-profile withdrawal as senior royals and emigration to North America in January 2020.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
It also marked baby Lilibet's first meeting with the Queen in person, as well as the couple's first reunion with the Royal Family en-masse in over two years. It's understood that Her Majesty joined the Sussexes for a 'relaxed' party at the Windsor mansion, which coincided with the Epsom Derby and Prince William and Kate Middleton's Cardiff trip.
Despite reports that nothing could stop Harry and Meghan from 'freelancing' during their UK trip, the ex-pat couple remained extremely lowkey throughout the celebrations.
Aside from their attendance at the Service of Thanksgiving on Friday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made no public appearances at any of the events over the course of the Jubilee bank holiday weekend. Harry and Meghan's absence at Guildhall, the reception that followed the thanksgiving service at St. Paul's Cathedral, drew particular scrutiny, with their no-show made all the more apparent by their sudden departure after the ceremony. It remains unknown when the couple plan to return to the UK, but with no major royal events scheduled on the upcoming calendar, it looks like fans could be waiting a while.
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
Is Gracepoint the same as Broadchurch? Everything you need to know about the David Tennant dramas
Here's what you need to know about Gracepoint, the crime series starring David Tennant that's rather similar to Broadchurch
By Laura Harman Published
-
Duchess Sophie's statement accessory is a key part of her signature style and she'll probably bring it back again this Easter
The Duchess of Edinburgh loves going bold with one type of accessory and Easter could give us a glimpse at another spectacular design
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William's awkward mistake as they broke royal protocol at special family gathering
Prince William and Kate's awkward mistake came in 2018 when they broke protocol - but it was apparently for a very relatable reason
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
32 candid photos of Meghan Markle that show her goofy side, from getting the giggles to bad hair days
From getting the giggles to all-too-familiar looks, Meghan Markle's candid photos prove she's really just like us...
By Jack Slater Published
-
The risk Prince William took with the Middletons when he proposed to Kate
The Prince of Wales shunned one particular formality when he asked his now-wife to marry him
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William's kitchen with forest green range cooker and cream cabinets has a wholesome farmhouse feel
Kate Middleton once shared a rare peek inside one of the Wales family's kitchens
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Prince William has grown 'closer' to unexpected royal amid Kate's health struggle after 'complicated' feelings
The Prince of Wales is said to have forged a closer bond with an unlikely person in the midst of Kate's health struggles
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Prince William compliments Kate Middleton's 'arty' side amid photo editing controversy
Prince William joked about Kate Middleton's 'arty' side during a new engagement with a youth charity in West London
By Laura Harman Published
-
Queen Camilla eats Meghan Markle's 'soul-satisfying' snack 'most days' - but 'hated it' at first
Camilla used to dislike Meghan's nourishing go-to - but her mind was changed when she tried an incredible combination
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Prince William's accurate prediction about Kate's fate as a royal made before they got married
The Prince of Wales made a special prediction about his wife's life as a royal, before they tied the knot
By Caitlin Elliott Published