One Photo Op Might Save Meghan And Harry's Relationship With The Royals

After months of anticipation, the Platinum Jubilee is finally upon us. The jam-packed long weekend celebrates 70 years of Queen Elizabeth reigning over the U.K., as well as the monarch's birthday, which will be marked as normal at a special event mounted on a bigger-than-usual scale. In fact, Meghan and Harry are taking part in Trooping The Colour in an unexpected way after being banned from appearing on the balcony alongside the queen due to no longer being working members of the royal family.

People confirms the couple was gifted a prime position to watch the action unfold from the Major General's Office, alongside Kate Middleton and her three children, as well as various royal grandchildren. Likewise, the celebrity couple is expected to take part in several events over the course of the weekend. Meghan and Harry, who officially touched down in England on Wednesday, are returning to their former home for the first time since stepping down from the royal family in 2020, as Harper's Bazaar points out.

Their spokesperson previously confirmed they were "excited and honored" to attend the Jubilee. The Sussexes recently made a fleeting trip to see the queen en route to the Netherlands, but their kids weren't in tow. Now that Archie and Lilibet are alongside the famous couple, the stage is set for a picture-perfect royal reconciliation.

This weekend's Platinum Jubilee marks the first time grown-up Lilibet, aka Queen Elizabeth, will meet her younger namesake. As royal expert Richard Kay — who was actually Princess Diana's final phone call before her death — noted in the Daily Mail, after years of turmoil, all eyes will be on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they introduce baby daughter Lilibet to her great-grandmother for the very first time. Per Kay, "Although her grandson and his children are excluded from the pageantry of the Palace gathering, the Queen has insisted they receive the same courtesies being extended to wider members of the Royal Family." 

This is a huge opportunity to mend the strained relationship between the celebrity couple, who moved to America two years ago, and the rest of the royal family. The queen has tried to ensure they're well-received in the U.K., despite Britons' feelings about them — according to Express, the vast majority agreed the Sussexes shouldn't be allowed to accompany her on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour. 

The photo opportunities will, naturally, be great too, particularly given the cuteness factor of the two Lilibets finally meeting in person. As Kay argued, "A photograph of Lilibet meeting Lilibet would be a more eloquent symbol of family unity and forgiveness than any anonymous briefing." Likewise, "It could also be a powerful metaphor for things to come," signaling things are finally on the mend between the warring factions. 

Suffice to say, the Sussexes will be expected to be on their best behavior this weekend, especially given everything that's at stake. In the run up to the Platinum Jubilee, Princes William and Harry's quiet reconciliation has similarly come to the fore. The Mirror reported the estranged brothers had been communicating regularly in an attempt to repair their relationship before meeting in person. Moreover, neither Meghan Markle nor Kate Middleton is reportedly getting involved, with both women feeling it would be better to leave them to it rather than risk rocking the boat.

An insider confirmed, "The brothers needed time for everything to settle down. The family, including William, had been disappointed in the way Harry and Meghan chose to leave the royal family." However, they've both since decided it's better to move past those negative feelings and look to the future together instead. 

It's worth noting that, per The Sun, the Duke of Cambridge had previously expressed concern over opening up to his brother too much in case William's words ended up in one of Harry's Netflix projects, or even in his upcoming memoir. Royal biographer Tom Bower also cautioned that the Sussexes might "pull a stunt to try to get the limelight" at the Jubilee. With any luck, little Lilibet will bring everybody together accordingly.