Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don't want to be included in royal 'balcony moment' at Queen's Jubilee

A royal expert has claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don't want to be included in the Trooping of the Color at jubilee

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don't want to be included
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor / Getty Images)

A royal insider has claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don't want to be included in the Trooping of the Color for the 'formal balcony moment' that they felt wouldn't be 'appropriate.' 


In May 2022, the Queen confirmed Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Prince Andrew won't join her on Jubilee balcony 'after careful consideration' from the Royal Family. 

While many saw this as a slight to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, one royal author has claimed that actually this decision was made with the royal couple in mind. Omid Scobie, the author of Finding Freedom, has claimed that the couple was not 'dramatically cut' from the balcony appearance, and the British press was just perpetuating this narrative.

Prince Harry

(Image credit: Getty)

"Given the ongoing negative narratives about them in the British press - often spurred on by gossipy palace aides still incandescent about the couple’s decision to leave or speak out - stories about Harry, Meghan and their kids being “DRAMATICALLY CUT” would have probably felt believable to any tabloid reader," began the royal expert to Yahoo!

The author went on to say that actually the truth is a lot less 'severe' than what has been reported. "As is often the case, the reality is much less severe when you hear that Prince Harry had already spoken with his grandmother about the possibility of not attending Trooping the Colour long before last week's announcements," said Omid. 

"I’m told by a source that the Duke of Sussex had actually expressed some time ago that he and Meghan were very keen to be a part of the Jubilee engagements, including the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, but less so for the formal balcony moment, which was felt on both sides to be more appropriate for their lives prior to stepping back."

Prince Harry

Trooping of the Color 2018

(Image credit: Getty)

So it seems that actually, the decision to not appear at the Trooping of the Color for the balcony appearance was a choice made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family.

Although Meghan and Prince Harry ‘stepped back’ as senior members of the royal family two years ago, they are still expected to return to the UK in order to celebrate with the Royal Family. However, it is still unclear how involved the couple will be in the celebrations.

Laura Harman

Laura is the Entertainment Editor for woman&home who primarily covers television, film, and celebrity news. Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.