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
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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.
Harry and Meghan seated in second row
Indicative of their new more-minor position within the royal family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seated in the second row from the front behind the Wessex family and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester during the thanksgiving service.
Harry was next to Princess Eugenie’s husband, Jack Brooksbank, and Meghan was next to Princess Margaret’s daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto.
At one point, Harry appeared to enjoy a joke with other royals - most likely Zara and Mike Tindall - seated across the aisle.
Beatrice, sitting a few seats down, was also grinning in the same direction.
Harry was also seen laughing with Mr Brooksbank, and joined the Tindalls and cousin Peter Phillips for a chat on the steps afterwards.
Lightning and rain may wreck Saturday festivities
Thunderstorms could dampen jubilee festivities in southern England, the Met Office has warned.
Forecasters are predicting heavy rain and lightning in some places, and a yellow warning has been put in place from midnight until 10am tomorrow, Saturday.
The area covered by the warning stretches from Dover to Penzance, and as far north as Bath and south London.
Met Office experts said there was a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning, hail or strong winds during the morning.
They also warned of a small chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services due to lightning and flooding, as well as possible power cuts, difficult driving conditions and road closures.
Initially it had been thought that storms would strike on Saturday evening, during the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace.
Thousands set to turn out for party at the palace
Around 22,000 people are expected at the star-studded the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace tomorrow evening.
Craig David, Alicia Keys, Elbow, Duran Duran, Andrea Bocelli and Sir Rod Stewart are all among the stars due to perform outside Buckingham Palace.
Queen + Adam Lambert will open the concert with a production reminiscent of Brian May’s appearance on the palace roof at the Golden Jubilee Concert in 2002.
Diana Ross will close the two-and-a-half-hour show, with her first live UK performance in 15 years.
Video: Spectator explains why he booed Boris Johnson at jubilee thanksgiving service
Ed Sheeran reveals past jubilee celebrations inspired music career
Ed Sheeran has revealed how past jubilee celebrations inspired his musical career ahead of his performance at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday.
In a post on Instagram, the singer wrote: “20 years ago I decided I wanted to pick up a guitar because I watched the Golden Jubilee on tv, saw Eric Clapton play Layla and said ‘that’s what I wanna do’.
“10 years later I played The A Team at the Diamond Jubilee, and now 10 years on I’m playing the Platinum Jubilee this Sunday.
“Life is weird how it keeps coming full circle in lovely ways. Tune in on Sunday and see ya there x”
The 31-year-old is set to perform his song Perfect during Sunday’s celebrations, as a tribute to the Queen and her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh.
Platinum Jubilee: Harry and William sit on opposite sides of cathedral at service of thanksgiving
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sat on the opposite side of the cathedral to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the special Service of Thanksgiving held in honour of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
On Friday, members of the royal family gathered at St Paul’s Cathedral for the service while the Queen, who pulled out due to experiencing “discomfort” at yesterday’s proceedings, watched on TV from Windsor.
While Prince William and Kate were seated on the right hand side of the cathedral in the front row, Harry and Meghan were seated on the left hand side in the second row.
Olivia Petter reports.
Harry and William sit on opposite sides of cathedral at service of thanksgiving
Brothers were not photographed close together at the service
David and Victoria Beckham to host special Jubilee lunch
David and Victoria Beckham will host a special Jubilee lunch for inspirational individuals as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The couple will celebrate people who have made incredible contributions to their communities.
The Beckham’s Big Jubilee Lunch will air as part of the Platinum Pageant on BBC One on Sunday June 5.
In a post shared to Instagram on Thursday, David, 47, ?hailed the Queen’s reign as “remarkable”, writing: “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.”
David was made an OBE by the Queen in 2003 for services to football. Victoria and two of the couple’s sons, Brooklyn and Romeo, as well as David’s grandparents, were in attendance to see him accept the honour.
Victoria was also made an OBE in 2017 for services to the fashion industry.
Those attending the couple’s lunch include MBE recipients, including Judith Harper, who was made an MBE for services to fostering, having fostered more than 100 children.
Also at the lunch will be Saeed Atcha, who was made an MBE for services to young people and the community in 2019. At 22-years-old, Atcha was the youngest recipient on the 2019 Honours list.
Queen found Jubilee celebrations ‘very tiring’ but had ‘lovely time’
The Queen had a “lovely” time at Thursday’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations but found the day “very tiring”, the Duchess of Cambridge is said to have told an attendee at a Guildhall reception.
Gill Smallwood from Bolton spoke with Kate on Friday after a service of thanksgiving at the nearby St Paul’s Cathedral.
Ms Smallwood said she had asked Kate how the Queen was doing.
She told PA: “She (Kate) said, ‘yes, she was fine, it was just very tiring yesterday, and she (the Queen) had had a lovely, lovely time’.”
Ms Smallwood, chief executive of domestic violence charity Fortalice, was made an MBE in the New Year honours.
Prince Harry helps Meghan Markle straighten her dress collar at platinum jubilee celebration
As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walked hand in hand to the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebration on Friday, the Duke of Sussex took a moment to help his wife with her dress collar.
The couple arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral, along with other members of the royal family, for the Service of Thanksgiving, as part of the four day holiday celebrations in honour of the Queen’s 70 year-reign.
In footage obtained by ABC News, Prince Harry could be seen straightening his tie, while his wife exited their car, outside of the church.
Prince Harry helps Meghan Markle straighten her collar at at jubilee celebration
Couple attended the Service of Thanksgiving on 3 June
Pictured: Brits celebrate historic platinum jubilee
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