A memorable return! Queen Elizabeth IIShe was overcome by emotion as she kicked off her Platinum Jubilee at Buckingham Palace with Trooping The Colour festivities.
“The queen felt nostalgic being back at Buckingham Palace yesterday. While Windsor Castle is now her primary residence, returning there with her family brought back so many fond memories,” a source exclusively told Use Weekly about the 96-year-old monarch’s Thursday, June 2, appearance on the palace balcony for the Royal Air Force flypast.
UsIn March, it was confirmed that the royal matriarch had moved to Windsor Castle full time. The queen was joined in London by her beloved ones to celebrate her 70th year on the throne. Prince CharlesAnd Camilla Duchess were by Elizabeth’s side following the parade. Prince WilliamAnd Duchess KateTheir three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, 7 and Prince Louis, 4, also attended the palace.
Prince HarryAnd Meghan Markle showed their support by watching the event from the Major General’s Office, alongside other members of the royal family. The couple, Archie, 3 years old, and Lilibet, 11 month old, traveled to the U.K. to attend the service of Thanksgiving on Friday June 3.
However, the Duke & Duchess of Sussex did not reunite with William (39), and Kate (40) inside the chapel. According to a second source the palace made the decision. “Senior members of the royal family were seated in the front row and non-senior members in the second row,” the insider explained to Use, noting that the arrangement was meant to help “avoid any unwanted attention.”
The queen, for her part, chose to not appear at St. Paul’s Cathedral following the excitement of her birthday parade. “The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and flypast but did experience some discomfort,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read on Thursday. “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.”
According to the palace, “The Queen is looking forward to participating in tonight’s Beacon lighting event at Windsor Castle and would like to thank all those who made today such a memorable occasion.”
On the same day, the Queen led the lighting at Windsor Castle of the Principal Platinum Jubilee Beacon. William represented the queen at Buckingham Palace.
Natalie Posner reports
