Royal family news – live: Sussexes release photograph of daughter Lilibet after arriving in US
Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter turns one during her first trip to the UK
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released a picture of their daughter Lilibet after celebrating her first birthday.
The photograph of Lilibet, who celebrated the occasion with family and close friends of the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor on Saturday, is understood to have been taken by family friend Misan Harriman.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s second child, born on 4 June 2021 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.
The couple have been “incredibly touched” by the birthday wishes that have flooded in for Lilibet.
More than 100,000 dollars (£79,800) in donations to the World Central Kitchen were made in her honour by people around the world, for which the Duke and Duchess have also expressed their gratitude.
It follows reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had returned to the US following a short trip to the UK for the jubilee celebrations.
The early departure means the Sussexes missed the finale of the festivities, which saw the Queen make a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the royal standard flag was raised above the residence during the pageant.
Crowds along The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace are celebrating a “once in a lifetime” moment as the Queen’s Jubilee parade kicked off.
Thousands have travelled from all over the UK to join the festivities in central London.
Three army veterans said they had travelled down from Aberdeenshire to celebrate the event.
Pointing to the palace, one said: “A wee wifey that lives in that house, there, and she has had that job for 70 years and she needs a wee bit of celebration, and we highlanders are here to wish her well.”
Emily Hurle, Lauren Stone and Amelia Jull, all 28, and Lauren Keith, 27, who moved to London from New Zealand, came to the Mall wearing tiaras and drinking cocktails.
“We’re here to celebrate the Queen, of course,” Ms Keith said.
Ms Hurle said: “I think she’s a fantastic leader and in 70 years she’s done exceedingly well.”
“Yup, she’s a legend. We love her,” Ms Stone added.
Duchesses watch parade together
As the Guardsmen and officers passed by the Queen on the balcony, the monarch watched them parade as thousands lined The Mall.
The Jubilee Queen, head of the Armed Forces, carefully inspected the military from up high as she stood with her cousin, the Duke of Kent - Colonel of the Scots Guards.
The 96-year-old Queen was holding a walking stick and wearing the Guards’ Badge on her coat.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among the guests who watched Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards.
They joined other royals including the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Cornwall in the Duke of Wellington’s former office the parade ground.
Queen watches flypast
The royal family are watching a six-minute flypast of more than 70 aircraft features Apache helicopters, Typhoons and The Red Arrows.
Dozens of aircraft from the Royal Navy, the Army and Royal Air Force are soaring over Buckingham Palace.
Queen enjoys private moment with princes
The Prince of Wales stood on the Queen’s right-hand side and the pair could be seen chatting and smiling ahead of the flypast.
Huge cheers of “hooray” erupted from the thousands of royal fans on The Mall in front of the palace.
As aircraft approached, the Queen was looking ahead and smiling.
Meanwhile, her great-grandson Prince Louis waved towards the sky and could also be seen resting his chin in his hands.
The Queen interacted with Louis, who was standing next to her on the balcony.
The young prince held his hands over his ears as the aircraft soared overhead.
The monarch smiled throughout the flypast and waved at the crowds before going back into the palace.
Household Cavalry delights Queen
When the Queen made her appearance on the balcony, there was a delayed reaction from the crowds in The Mall and spectators sitting in the stands built for Saturday’s Party at the Palace.
A cheer went up when they spotted her on screens and she smiled as the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment passed the gates of Buckingham Palace.
The troopers took around five minutes to ride past and she could be seen chatting to her cousin the Duke of Kent, who had joined her on the balcony.
Balcony royal line-up
The Queen waved to crowds as the royal family lined up on the Buckingham Palace balcony:
‘70' in the sky
Queen watches spectacular flypast over Buckingham Palace alongside royal family
The young prince could be seen holding his hands over his ears as the aircraft soared overhead.
The monarch smiled throughout the flypast and waved at the crowds before going back into the palace.
The Queen could be seen interacting with her great-grandson Prince Louis, who was standing next to her on the balcony.
You can watch the flypast here:
Queen watches spectacular flypast over Buckingham Palace alongside royal family
The Queen was joined by working members of the royal family to watch the special platinum jubileeRAF flypast at Buckingham Palace.Her Majesty stood alongside Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton and other royals on the balcony of her central London residence on Thursday afternoon. The impressive spectacle saw 70 planes fly overhead, culminating with the iconic Red Arrows filling the sky with red, white and blue smoke. The formation also included the historic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, as well as other aircraft from the Royal Navy and the Army.Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
McCartney and Beckham celebrate Queen
Sir Paul McCartney and David Beckham are among the stars celebrating the Queen as festivities for the Platinum Jubilee weekend get under way.
The Beatles star, 79, was knighted by the Queen in 1997, and shared a picture of himself with her from an event the year before as he congratulated her on her 70-year reign.
Alongside a picture on Instagram, Sir Paul wrote: “70 beautiful years of Queen Elizabeth the second. Congrats ma’ am! And thanks - Paul.”
David Beckham hailed the Queen’s reign as “remarkable” and wrote on Instagram: “Today, we celebrate our Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 70 years of service and inspirational leadership of our country. Let’s come together and commemorate her remarkable reign with a great British party these next few days.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments