The image of royals on the balcony at Buckingham Palace marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations will be a truly historic occasion.
But it is also likely to be long remembered for who is not in it, after the monarch ordered Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew to stay away from the iconic moment.
The trio had been expected to join the Queen for the traditional Trooping the Colour RAF flypast on June 2 to celebrate her 70-year reign.
However, they were dealt a blow when she snubbed them by insisting only working royals are in the shot.
But many insiders fear it may be an elegant solution to concerns the crowds in The Mall may boo the unpopular Sussexes and Andrew.
It comes after Harry and Meghan quit royal duties and moved to the US and Andrew’s sex case shame.
A Palace spokesman said: “After careful consideration, the Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance will be limited to Her Majesty and those members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties.”
Just minutes after the Queen announced her cull, Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, vowed to bring their children Archie, three, and toddler Lilibet to the UK anyway. It will be their first visit with the family since leaving for America, amid a rift with Prince William and Kate.
A spokesman for the couple said: “Prince Harry and Meghan are excited and honoured to attend the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this June with their children.”
It will be the first time the monarch has met Lilibet, who celebrates her first birthday on June 4. The couple will appear at other jubilee events.
Last month, Harry and Meghan met Prince Charles, 73, and Camilla, 74, briefly during a visit to Windsor to see the Queen on their way to the Invictus Games in the Netherlands.
But it is understood there is still much to be done to build bridges, especially between William and Harry.
Andrew, 62, had his military titles and royal patronages returned to the Queen in January as he fought sex assault claims by Virginia Giuffre.
The case was settled out of court in February, with the disgraced Prince paying an undisclosed settlement said to be at least £12million.
It will be the first time the Royal Family have appeared on the balcony since before the pandemic, at the Queen’s official birthday in 2019. There will be 18 members gathered for the photo. Despite her working royals-only rule, she made an exception for Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim, as he is a “frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on engagements”.
Others on the balcony include Charles and Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
But there is no room for Andrew’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, or Princess Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Philips.
The Palace released further details of the Jubilee arrangements, including how they have been tailored for the Queen’s comfort.
There will be no ceremonial journey to the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 3. And the monarch, who is facing mobility issues, will use a different entrance rather than scaling the steep steps.
A Palace spokesman said: “The Queen is looking forward to the weekend and will be taking part in the celebrations but her presence will not be confirmed until nearer the time.”
The 1760-built gold State Coach that took the Queen to her Coronation in 1953 will make its first appearance on the streets of London since she rode in it at her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
She will not be on board but film recorded as she travelled in it on the day she was crowned will be beamed on to the windows.
