Prince Harry in the passenger seat of a car that picked him and his family up in Santa Monica
(Picture: Rex Features)Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived back in California in the early hours today after skipping the end of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in a private jet at Santa Barbara - where the couple live with their two children Archie, three, and Lilibet, whose first birthday was reportedly celebrated with a “relaxed” party at Windsor’s Frogmore cottage on Saturday.
It is believed the family left the UK an hour before yesterday’s Jubilee Pageant began, and so missed the Queen’s evening appearance on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
After the Sussexes landed in Santa Monica, staff were seen carrying what appeared to be a high chair from the plane.
Harry was photographed in the passenger seat of a black Range Rover that had arrived to take the family home.
The couple had attended Trooping the Colour on Thursday and a thanksgiving service for the Queen at St Paul’s Cathedral the following day.
But their return to the UK was kept relatively low-key as they missed several big jubilee moments - including the dazzling Platinum Jubilee Party at the Palace, watched by a TV audience of 13.3million - and were sat far away from his brother William and the Duchess of Cambridge at St Paul’s.
They flew back to their US home as four days of pomp, pageantry and partying drew to a close.
The 96-year-old monarch was absent for much of the celebrations, appearing in person for just over 27 minutes throughout the weekend.
Delighting thousands of people packed on to The Mall, the Queen stepped out on to the balcony on Sunday evening following the Platinum Pageant, which told the story of her life, and the nation, with an eccentric, fun and imaginative carnival-like display.
She was flanked by her three heirs - son, grandson and great-grandson - offering a glimpse into the monarchy’s future.
After the outpouring of public affection during her balcony appearance, the Queen said she was “humbled and deeply touched” so many people had taken part in marking her 70-year reign.
In a statement capping the national celebrations, the Queen, 96, said: “While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.”
The Duchess of Cornwall, patron of the Big Lunch, estimated that up to 18 million people could have taken part in Jubilee street parties, and the Queen expressed her hope this “renewed sense of togetherness” would be felt for years to come.
Sunday’s Pageant, which was so major in scale that a rehearsal was not feasible, concluded what was a varied programme of events since Thursday.
David Zolkwer, show director of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, said: “One of the most exciting things about the Platinum Jubilee Pageant was that there was never going to be a full dress rehearsal - the first and only time our entire cast came together was on the day - it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.
“Even after working closely with all these inspirational performers for so long to plan their Pageant beat by beat, the wonder of the live performance still absolutely took my breath away.
“The genuine commitment, exuberance and generosity of spirit of the thousands of people involved was a joy and a privilege to behold - it was truly the people’s Pageant.”
Revellers were fortunate that the pageant went off without thunderstorms or heavy rain, which had been feared.
Councilor Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, said the borough of Westminster has “seen an unprecedented coming together of people”, adding: “It has been the most extraordinary event to stage and a national collaboration which has worked brilliantly.”
