Thursday 2 June 2022 06:07 PM Experts say royals assembled on Buckingham Palace balcony resemble Queen's ... trends now

The smaller line-up on the Buckingham Palace balcony today was a clear indication of the Royal Family shifting towards a slimmed-down monarchy, an expert has said.

The Queen, 96, decided she wanted to be accompanied only by working royals to watch the flypast today as she focuses on those at the top of the line of succession.

And there was room today for Prince Charles and Camilla; Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex; and Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Others on the balcony included Prince William and Kate and their children Charlotte, Louis and George, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra.

But there was no sign of Prince Harry and Meghan after they quit as working royals in 2020, or Prince Andrew, who stepped down over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

It was in stark contrast to the appearance of the Palace balcony for a flypast three years ago in June 2019 when it was packed with wider members of the Royal Family. 

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline today: 'The line up on the iconic balcony of Buckingham Palace after Trooping the Colour today of royals who conduct official duties put the focus where it should be, on the Queen, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee.

'It was the second powerful statement she has used this unique milestone to send out. 

'The first was to give her blessing to the Camilla becoming Queen Consort, Princess Consort was a historical nonsense. If left, it might have caused considerable difficulty when Charles ascended the throne as it has never been popular. 

'The centre of the celebrations for the Queen will undoubtedly be the Service at St Paul’s as she is deeply religious. However, for the press and public, it is this annual display of unity by the royal family on the balcony that makes the most impact. 

'The absence of Andrew was inevitable and this makes it clear he has no future part in royal life. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s recent plea that she should be forgiven was hastily withdrawn. His popularity is non-existent.'