Prince Harry, looking somber, has returned to California with Meghan Markle and their children, departing Britain on a private jet before the grand finale of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee unfolded.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their children, reportedly departed from Farnborough Airport at 1.30 pm yesterday, an hour before the Jubilee pageant commenced in central London.
This marked the conclusion of their Jubilee experience, as they had relinquished their roles as front-line royals in 2020.
An insider revealed that their departure was discreet, without any pomp or circumstance.
They chose not to stay for the celebratory Platinum Jubilee pageant, which honors Britain and its idiosyncrasies over the Queen’s 70-year reign.
Around lunchtime yesterday, the couple, based in Montecito, were chauffeured from Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, where they had been residing since their arrival in the UK on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Harry’s grandmother, father, brother, and nieces and nephews bid farewell to the cheering crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, concluding four days of jubilant celebrations commemorating the Queen’s seven-decade reign.
Following their departure, an estimated 18 million people partook in Jubilee street festivities, including one attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in West London.
Despite their absence from most Jubilee events, the Sussexes made a public appearance on Friday at the Thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where they received a mix of boos and cheers upon arrival and departure.
On Thursday, they mingled with minor royals at the Major General’s office during Trooping the Colour, playfully engaging with children.
Throughout their stay, Archie and Lilibet remained out of the public eye, spending time at Frogmore Cottage and hosting a relaxed party for Lilibet’s first birthday, attended by her British cousins.
The Sussexes landed back in California at 6 pm on Sunday, with equipment resembling a high chair being unloaded from the plane.
Harry was later photographed in the passenger seat of a Black Range Rover, looking solemn after nearly five days away from the US.
In a separate development, royal expert Daniela Elser raised questions about the absence of a photo depicting one-year-old Lily meeting her great-grandmother, aged 96, during the Sussexes’ UK visit for the Platinum Jubilee weekend.
Elser suggested that releasing such a picture could have overshadowed other Jubilee coverage but emphasized that Harry and Meghan’s presence was already attracting significant media attention.
Moreover, there were speculations that the Queen would meet Lily, named in her honor, during the extended weekend.
Omid Scobie, a journal biographer, noted that Thursday might have been the opportune moment for the Queen to meet her namesake.
Some even speculated about the possibility of a christening during their UK visit.
Lilibet, born in June 2021, celebrated her first birthday during the bank holiday Jubilee weekend, receiving well-wishes from the Royal Family and others on social media.
Additionally, Meghan’s hairstylist, George Northwood, shared sentiments about Archie and Lilibet, describing Archie as a charming and well-mannered child and Lilibet as simply beautiful.
The Sussexes were glimpsed through a window at Horse Guards Parade during Trooping the Colour and attended a Thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The unfolding events surrounding the royal family continue to captivate audiences worldwide, leaving many intrigued by the dynamics at play within the monarchy.
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