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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Antony Thrower

Queen 'to skip Derby' so she can meet baby Lilibet for first time on namesake's birthday

Lilibet, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter, is reportedly set to spend her first birthday meeting The Queen for the very first time.

The Sussexes’ little girl was born in the US after they had quit their official duties and has never met her royal relatives.

On the weekend the UK celebrates the Queen’s incredible 70 years on the throne, Her Majesty is believed to be marking a new milestone - meeting her little great granddaughter, according to the Sun.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be in town for the Jubilee celebrations and staying at their former UK residence Frogmore Cottage, close to Windsor Castle.

They'll likely be reuniting with some members of the Royal Family they haven't seen since 2019, before Harry and Meghan announced they'd be stepping away from the Firm the following year.

The Queen is to miss the Derby on Saturday (Getty Images)
The Sussexes will be in town for the Jubilee (Getty Images)

The Queen is likely to miss her favourite sporting event on Saturday - the Derby - in favour of seeing Lilibet, who will be turning one on that day.

It would be only the third time during her long reign she missed the event as aides look to keep her workload to a minimum.

The Queen is a passionate horse owner and breeder and was expected to be greeted on the course with a special guard of honour including up to 40 of her past and present jockeys.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the rumoured birthday plans, saying the Queen’s attendance at events would not be confirmed until closer to the time.

The pair could meet members of the extended family for the first time since 2019 (Getty Images)

Earlier today it was reported The Queen has vowed to make a double balcony appearance as she defies her “mobility concerns” to celebrate her 70-year reign.

Her Majesty will delight the crowds by taking to the Buckingham Palace frontage twice as she kick-starts her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The appearances will take place during the monarch’s official Birthday Parade on Thursday, the start of the four-day bank holiday weekend.

A royal source said: “The Queen is determined to take part in the Jubilee celebrations. Trooping was brought forward by one week to be part of the Jubilee this year and the Queen very much wants to be part of it.”

The Queen will appear on the balcony (Getty Images)

The monarch is also hoping to attend the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday with her wider family.

It is expected the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York, 62, may attend despite being stripped of their royal duties.

The nation's longest reigning monarch, who is currently on a pre-Jubilee break in Balmoral, has been facing episodic mobility problems in recent months.

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