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Meghan, 40, and Prince Harry, 37, returned to the UK for the anniversary celebrations last week but only appeared at a few of the weekend’s royal engagements. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen watching Thursday’s Trooping the Color parade from the Major General’s Office at Horse Guards Parade with a gathering of senior royals, but did not appear in the balcony lineup.
The Queen, 96, was joined by Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Cambridges and the Wessexes for the RAF flypast which concluded the monarch’s official birthday celebrations.
Before the Platinum Jubilee celebrations began, it was announced that only working members of the Royal Family would step out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the photo op.
The Queen made the decision “after careful consideration,” the palace said.
Staying largely out of sight and avoiding accusations of overshadowing the monarch’s historic milestone is seen as a thoughtful move by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a royal branding expert told Express.co.uk.
Meghan, 40, and Prince Harry, 37, returned to the UK for the anniversary celebrations last week (Image: Getty)
The Sussexes climbed the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral in central London for a thanksgiving service (Image: Getty)
Professor Pauline MacLaran, of Royal Holloway, University of London, explained that Meghan and Harry’s careful navigation of their anniversary performances is likely to be viewed as “considerate” behavior by the onlooker public.
She argued that the Sussexes’ non-appearance on the balcony was “well reasoned in advance”, with the justification for the decision based on logic.
The pair were playfully photographed during the parade silencing young royals, but were otherwise aware cameras were trained on them.
“However, Kate’s position on the balcony alongside the Queen shows how much she is valued and seen as a crucial part of the family going forward,” Professor MacLaran said.
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Prof Maclaran: “Kate’s position on the balcony next to the Queen shows how much she is appreciated.” (Image: Getty)
On Friday, the Sussexes ascended the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral in central London for a national thanksgiving service which the Queen “with great reluctance” did not attend.
Professor MacLaran described their performance at St Paul’s as going “very well” with “some cheering them” as they walked into the cathedral.
She added, “They seemed to keep a low profile on this (and since their arrival) and this is seen as being considerate and not trying to seek the limelight.”
She argued that the appearances chosen influenced how they are perceived in relation to the royal family, from whom they had distanced themselves.
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The Duchess took center stage at the anniversary celebrations (Image: Getty)
Professor MacLaran said St Paul’s appearance “will have strengthened her royal associations and also given some impetus to her brand”.
While the Trooping the Color balcony appearance was more selective in its participation, she added: “The St. Paul’s service was more about the extended royal family, so it will always be a part of it, even if they aren’t seen as core working members.” .
It has been announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be attending the Platinum Jubilee Party at the Palace on Saturday night as they are spending the day privately.
The concert, which featured performances by some of the biggest names in music, drew 22,000 people to the mall.
But the Saturday events missed the Duke and Duchess, whose daughter Lilibet celebrated her first birthday that day.
The Queen reportedly met her younger namesake for the first time over the weekend, although this has not been officially confirmed by the palace.
The Sussexes’ biographer, Omid Scobie, told the BBC on Friday: “I think people are expecting some kind of big, extravagant birthday event that we’re going to see photos of.
“We shouldn’t expect anything from what I’ve been told.
“These moments with Lilibet are very private between you and the Queen and of course we know how much she was looking forward to it.”
