After much speculation about the lineup of family members making the cut for the traditional balcony appearance during this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Buckingham Palace has finally shared the official guest list.
A spokesperson for the monarch said in a statement to BAZAAR.com, “After careful consideration, The Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance on Thursday 2nd June will be limited to Her Majesty and those Members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of The Queen.”
Though representatives chose not to discuss those who weren’t invited for the iconic balcony moment, today’s news rules out any possibility for non-working royals to appear. This would include Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan, Prince Andrew, and his daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
The announcement means that the family members joining the queen on the balcony at her official birthday parade will be Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, and Prince William, Duchess Kate, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Also in attendance will be Prince Edward, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and their children, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn; plus, Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence.
Watching the British Royal Air Force flypast alongside the monarch will be the queen’s cousins the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, the Duke of Gloucester, and his wife, the Duchess of Gloucester. Though lesser known, all four carry out official royal duties.
Trooping the Colour will be the first of several events for the queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, which marks the monarch’s 70 years on the throne and the longest reign in Britain. More than 1,200 military officers and soldiers will put on a display of military pageantry on London’s Horse Guards Parade, surrounded by hundreds of army musicians and around 240 horses.
Palace officials made it clear during a media briefing on Friday, May 6, that new jubilee details are not a confirmation of the queen’s attendance at any specific event, noting that appearances by Queen Elizabeth II will be confirmed only on the day, which has been the case for many of her engagements over the past year.
Despite the limitations on the balcony, there are still a number of opportunities for all members of the royal family to join in jubilee engagements, including the National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral on June 3, which will pay tribute to the queen’s reign in Britain and across the Commonwealth realm.
On Saturday, June 4, Derby Day offers to be a highlight for Her Majesty, with horse racing’s most important day recognizing her contributions to the sport. Though not guaranteed, the queen is “hopeful” that she can attend. Last month, organizers at Epsom Racecourse revealed they are working on “assumption and hope” that the monarch will attend, making special arrangements for her arrival and departure to accommodate her recent mobility issues.
The Platinum Party at the Palace will bring Saturday to a close, with music stars and talent from across the world of entertainment coming together to “perform for a night of musical tributes to celebrate the Jubilee.” The concert will take place just outside Buckingham Palace on an impressive custom-built stage and acts will be announced in the coming weeks.
The fourth and final day of jubilee events, June 5, will begin with a day of street parties across the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, billed as The Big Jubilee Lunch. Sunday’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London will serve as the climax to the celebrations with the royal Gold State Coach, used on the queen’s coronation day, leading a procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Behind it will be 1,800 members of the armed forces and grand pageant displays bringing to life “iconic moments from The Queen’s reign as well as showcasing our changing society over the past 70 years,” a spokesperson said.
Adds a Buckingham Palace representative, “The [jubilee] will provide an opportunity for communities and people throughout the United Kingdom to come together to celebrate the historic milestone. The four days of celebrations will include an exciting array of public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.”
