Sunday 15 May 2022 02:31 AM Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'never wanted to be on Buckingham Palace ... trends now
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle never wanted to appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the Queen for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, a friend of the pair has claimed.
Omid Scobie, who penned a biography on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, says the Harry had discussed the possibility of not being present for Trooping the Colour at the Mall in London on June 2 with Her Majesty.
He said despite this the couple are 'very keen' to be part of the arrangements in the coming months, including the Thanksgiving celebrations at St Paul's Cathedral.
This comes after a sensational statement from the Queen last week stating the pair - along with Prince Andrew - would not be invited onto the balcony for Trooping the Colour, the spectacular start of her long weekend of commemorations.
Following that the Sussexes released a statement that they would still fly from California with their two children - Archie, three, and Lilibet, 11 months - in June.
Writing in Yahoo! News, Scobie said the news that the pair would not be appearing on the balcony with Her Majesty should not come as a surprise.
A friend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has said the couple never wanted to go onto the balcony with the Queen for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June
The pair, pictured here on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Her Majesty in 2018, are said to be 'very keen' to take part in some of the Platinum Jubilee arrangements
'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,' he wrote.
He said the pair were 'very keen' to be part of the Jubilee celebrations, but that 'both sides' thought it would be more appropriate not to have the Sussexes on the balcony.'
He added that despite not wanting to appear on the balcony, Harry and Meghan did want to attend the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.
And last week there were suggestions that despite not appearing for Trooping the Colour, the pair could make an appearance as part of a second balcony appearance.
The Monarch is joined on the Buckingham Palace balcony by members of the royal family for the Jubilee in 2019. Prince Andrew, who was at his mother's left hand that day, has also been excluded
There will be a fly-over of Buckingham Palace by the Red Arrows as part of the celebrations, similar to those for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, pictured here
The Queen's decision is unlikely to fall comfortably with all Royal Family members – particularly Prince William – who have been left deeply hurt and angered by Harry's behaviour. But sources said there was little doubt that all would put their feelings to one side for the sake of the monarch.
'At the end of the day it is about celebrating the historic achievement of a truly remarkable woman. No one would want to disrespect the Queen by continuing hostilities in public,' said one.
Another said: 'Despite what has happened in recent years and what may be yet to come given that Harry's memoirs have yet to come out, family members will accept the Queen's olive branch in the spirit it was extended. The body language will be fascinating, mind you.'
Harry and Meghan could still appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, despite the Queen sensationally imposing a ban
There are those who will view their keenness to be seen alongside the rest of the Royal Family – who just last year they accused of racism and abandoning them, both emotionally and financially – as part of an attempt to emphasise their links with the monarchy and strengthen their bankability.
This comes after it was revealed the first major
