The Largest Gathering Of Royals Since Meghan And Harry's Wedding Will Have Some Surprising Guests

It took ages for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to finally confirm their plans for the queen's Jubilee, but we know now that the celebrity couple will be there to celebrate with the royal next month. Per NBC News, during an April interview on "Today," Harry admitted that he was doing his best to get over to the U.K. but said, "There's a lot of things, with security issues and everything else" getting in the way. The duke was eager for his kids, Archie and Lilibet, to finally meet the queen. 

Meghan and Harry had issues trying to secure police protection for their trip after the Home Office ruled against the couple paying for it themselves. The prince's legal representatives warned that it wasn't safe for him to travel without it but, since stepping down as working royals, the Sussexes aren't entitled to the same security as before. They've seemingly figured it out since, but it's worth noting that although the couple is welcome at the Jubilee, they won't be included in everything. 

The Guardian notes Meghan and Harry won't be allowed join the queen on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for her Trooping the Color birthday celebrations, since they're no longer working royals. Likewise, Prince Andrew won't be present either. Regardless, the couple "are excited and honored to attend," per a spokesperson. They'll also be in attendance at another major event during the weekend, which marks the first time the Sussexes will be surrounded by royals since moving away.

According to The Telegraph (via the Daily Mail), although their balcony privileges have been revoked, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and even disgraced royal Prince Andrew will all be present at the queen's thanksgiving service next week. The event, which is taking place at St Paul's Cathedral, is part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations and will mark the biggest royal gathering since the Sussexes' 2018 wedding ceremony. Andrew, meanwhile, hasn't attended a royal event since Prince Philip's memorial service, back in March. 

However, Andrew has allegedly been enjoying secret visits to Queen Elizabeth despite being cut off by the rest of the family, due to his sex abuse scandal. And yet, all eyes will likely be on the Sussexes, since Harry remains estranged from his father and brother, whom he hasn't seen in months, while Meghan hasn't been in the same place as any of them since the couple moved to the States. Similar to their wedding, the thanksgiving service will be broadcast live on TV.

As Newsweek notes, Meghan and Harry's young children, Archie and Lilibet, are also accompanying them to the U.K. but are too little to attend the thanksgiving event, though they will be present at others throughout the celebratory weekend. Lilibet hasn't been across the pond yet, while Archie last visited in 2019, so the queen is presumably very eager to meet her great-grandchildren.

Prince Andrew is trying to put his best foot forward ahead of the queen's upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations, with the Mirror reporting he's been meeting with his mother on a daily basis. Andrew lives just a short drive away, in Royal Lodge, and is reportedly ensuring Her Majesty is "comfortable and looked after" in the run up to her big weekend. According to one source, "Andrew is doing all he can to make amends for the shame he brought on his family for being involved in such a scandal. He wants to make it up to the Queen which is why he is doing all he can to see her as much as possible."

Andrew was accused of sexual abuse by Virginia Giuffre, who was also one of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein's accusers, and ultimately reached an out-of-court settlement with her. Although the prince vehemently denied Giuffre's claims, the press attention brought disgrace to the monarchy. In fact, aside from his mother, the other royals would rather the Duke of York keep his distance. 

Aside from attending the Platinum Jubilee, Andrew is also expected to take part in Garter Day, on June 13, per The Telegraph (via Express). The ceremony, which takes place at Windsor Castle, is the first to occur since the pandemic. There are concerns that Andrew's presence will overshadow the importance of the event, just as it did with Prince Philip's memorial service, however.