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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Katie Weston

Queen's first chance to meet Lilibet as Harry and Meghan reunite with royals

The Queen had her first chance to meet her great-granddaughter Lilibet in Windsor as Prince Harry and Meghan reunited with the Royal Family last night.

Royal commentator Omid Scobie, one of the authors of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's biography Finding Freedom, said that yesterday evening would have been the first time the monarch could have met her namesake, who turns one on June 4, in person.

It was initially believed that the Queen had finally met Lilibet, but Mr Scobie clarified: "Regarding meeting Lilibet, I simply said after Trooping 'would have been the first chance' to as both the Queen and the Sussexes returned to Windsor."

The news comes as the Queen celebrates the second day of her Platinum Jubilee today, with the highlight a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral attended by senior royals and politicians.

Wider members of the family are also expected to be present, including Prince Harry and Meghan followed by a Guildhall reception.

Follow the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in our live blog here

The Queen may have her great-granddaughter Lilibet for the first time in Windsor last night (PA)

Mr Scobie told BBC Breakfast: "I think people are expecting some sort of big birthday extravagant event, that we're going to see photographs from. From what I'm told, we shouldn't expect anything.

"Those moments with Lilibet are very much private between them and the Queen and of course we know how much she's been looking forward to it.

"They've been held back by a pandemic. Of course the times that Harry has been here it's just been by himself for quite sombre occasions. And so this really was the first time.

"Of course we know the Queen went back to Windsor Castle yesterday, the couple went back to Windsor as well where they're staying at Frogmore Cottage.

Prince Harry and Meghan with their two children Archie and Lilibet (HSH Alexi Lubomirski)
The Jubilee marks Harry and Meghan's joint return to the royal fold after they carried out their last royal engagement in 2020 at Westminster Abbey (AFP via Getty Images)

"So that would have been the first moment or the first chance for her to meet her namesake."

He also said that Harry and Meghan hope to be as "low-profile as possible" during their trip to the UK for The Platinum Jubilee.

Mr Scobie added: "I spoke with people close to the couple... who said that they want to be as low-profile as possible during this trip.

"It's almost hard to believe, but I think yesterday Trooping the Colour was a great example. We didn't really catch sight of them on TV cameras."

Prince Harry and Megan at Trooping The Colour (© Kelvin Bruce)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among the guests who watched Trooping the Colour yesterday at Horse Guards from inside the Duke of Wellington's former office, overlooking the parade ground.

They stayed out of the limelight as the Queen decided to limit people on the palace balcony to working members of the family, her Cambridge great-grandchildren and two youngest grandchildren.

As the four days of celebrations continued, the 96-year-old monarch pulled out of today's service due to ongoing mobility issues, experiencing "some discomfort" during Trooping the Colour and the RAF flypast.

Officials said the journey from Windsor Castle, where she spends most of her time, to London and the activity involved for the service was too much and a regrettable but sensible decision had been taken.

The Queen decided to limit people on the palace balcony to working members of the family, her Cambridge great-grandchildren and two youngest grandchildren (PA)

A palace source said it had always been the Queen's hope that she would attend rather than a firm commitment.

A statement issued on Thursday evening said: "The Queen greatly enjoyed today's birthday parade and flypast but did experience some discomfort.

"Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow's National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, Her Majesty, with great reluctance, has concluded that she will not attend."

She will not be the only absentee. Prince Andrew has tested positive for Covid-19 and will also miss the service, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said on Thursday.

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