We Probably Won’t See Much of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Platinum Jubilee

(Image credit: Getty)

published 15 May 2022

If you’re expecting tons of flashy Platinum Jubilee appearances by the Sussexes—the whole fam this time, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are bringing kids Archie and Lili with them—you might be disappointed.

According to “Royally Us” cohost Christine Ross, per The Daily Express, the couple “won’t be seen much” at the Jubilee and will instead lean towards keeping a low profile, opting to attend “private celebrations” to honor the Queen.

“Meghan and Harry will be there for the celebrations,” Ross says. “I think that they will mostly take part in private celebrations. I don’t think we’re going to see them very much, to be honest. But they’re there, they’re part of the family, but they’re not taking away from the story.”

The Platinum Jubilee, set for June 2 to June 5, honors Her Majesty’s historic 70 years on the throne (she’s the longest reigning British monarch in history, surpassing Queen Victoria years ago).

“If they didn’t go, the story would be they’re not allowed to go,” Ross says. “But, and if they were there and they were front and center on the balcony again, they would be the main headlines. I feel like we’re going to see a lot of decisions in the next couple of weeks that are really forcing a redirection of the conversation to the Queen. All of this is about the Queen. It’s not about the drama with Harry and Meghan. It’s not about the drama with Andrew.”

Following a surprise visit to Windsor Castle to see the Queen last month, the Sussexes were invited to attend the Platinum Jubilee, which kicks off with a Trooping the Colour parade and Buckingham Palace balcony appearance on June 2. The Queen announced recently that only working members of the royal family will appear on the balcony, therefore eliminating a possible appearance by both the Sussexes or Prince Andrew. Not long after the Queen’s decision came down, the Sussexes announced that the entire family of four would be “excited and honored” to attend.

“It’s really about Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and her 70 years on the throne,” Ross says. “So, I think we’re going to see a lot of these careful considerations that sort of redirect that spotlight.”

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Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.

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