In London, the first major event of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations concluded. On a magnificent day suitable for a queen, all eyes were on the historic balcony of Buckingham Palace, where the monarch made her first appearance. She has been seldom seen in public in recent months due to health issues.
An air show followed, with aircraft from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force forming a number 70 in the sky to commemorate the queen’s 70 years on the throne.
Queen’s Balcony Appearance Without Harry and Meghan
The Queen initially emerged on the balcony, accompanied by her cousin, the Duke of Kent, to take the ceremonial salute.
The Queen was accompanied by family members, including Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra. As well as the Cambridge and Wessex children, and Princess Anne’s husband Sir Timothy Laurence. The queen’s grandson, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan, were there but unseen on the balcony, watching the Trooping the Color from the Major General’s office. According to speculations, they will attend a thanksgiving ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow. Previously, spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said,
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are excited and honored to attend the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this June with their children.
Absence of Prince Andrew
It’s no wonder that the Buckingham Palace balcony is in prime prestigious place. As a result, who can stand on it is subject to stringent royal procedure. While it varies on the occasion, the king and their spouse, as well as the first and second in line to the throne and their spouses, will always have a seat. However, things were a bit altered for the 2022 Trooping the Color, which is part of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee festivities.
Since 2019, Prince Andrew has not been a working royal. Andrew was accused of sexual assault four years ago, along with now-convicted sex criminals Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. According to court filings at the time, a woman named Virginia, claimed that the Duke sexually attacked her three times when she was under the age of 18. Andrew refuted all of the charges and stated in a now-famous BBC interview that he had no memory of meeting her. In 2019, Prince Andrew stepped away from his royal duties due to a “personal decision” according to the Palace. It was reported in February 2022 that the Duke and Virginia had negotiated an out-of-court agreement.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, tested positive for Covid-19.
After undertaking a routine test the Duke of York has tested positive for Covid and with regret will no longer be attending tomorrow’s service of Thanksgiving.
