London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Apr 05, 2026

Platinum Jubilee: Harry and Andrew will not appear on Buckingham Palace balcony

Platinum Jubilee: Harry and Andrew will not appear on Buckingham Palace balcony

Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony as part of opening celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The monarch will be joined on 2 June only by "members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties", Buckingham Palace said.

Despite not appearing on the balcony, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will travel to the UK for the Jubilee.

The Queen, 96, plans to attend some Jubilee events, the palace said.

But her attendance won't be confirmed until nearer the time, or even on the day, after mobility problems led her to cancel a number of appearances in recent months.

Harry and Meghan will not be on the balcony this time, but are travelling to the Jubilee


A spokesperson for the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex said they would be coming to the UK for the Jubilee with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

The couple were said to be "excited and honoured to attend the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations".

The Platinum Jubilee events, marking the Queen's 70-year reign, will take place over a four-day bank holiday on 2 to 5 June.

There had been speculation about who would take part in the iconic royal balcony scene at the start of the Jubilee weekend, watching a flypast and waving to the crowds at Trooping the Colour.

But Buckingham Palace said the Queen had decided that appearances on the balcony would be limited to "working royals", who carry out official royal duties, and their children - effectively ruling out Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Meghan.

Prince Andrew stepped down from royal duties in the wake of the now-settled civil sex assault case brought against him in the United States.

The Queen's decision reflects the principle that there will not be "half-in, half-out" royals - and will mean a changed line-up for such balcony appearances for the Royal Family.

On the balcony, along with the Queen, will be the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children.

There will be music and entertainment at the BBC Platinum Party at the Palace


The group will also include the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, and Anne, the Princess Royal, and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, plus the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

While Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, and his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, will not be part of the balcony scene, they could attend other Jubilee events, such as the Jubilee Lunch or the thanksgiving service.

The Queen, who has mobility problems, has had to pull out of a number of recent events - and there have been questions about how much she will be able to participate in Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The latest update leaves the question open - with the Queen planning to take part in some of the events, but with nothing being confirmed until much closer to the time.

This includes the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral - and if the Queen attends she will not take part in a ceremonial procession to get there.

The Gold State Coach, used in the Queen's coronation, will be part of the Jubilee Pageant


Along with viewing Trooping the Colour, the Queen also plans to attend the Epsom Derby, which takes place on 4 June, during the long Jubilee bank holiday weekend.

The Platinum Jubilee Pageant will see the re-appearance of the Gold State Coach, not seen on the streets of London for more than 20 years.

This was the 18th Century horse-drawn carriage used to carry the Queen to her coronation in 1953.


The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 - timetable of key events


Thursday 2 June - Queen's birthday parade and Trooping the Colour takes place - as Platinum Jubilee Beacons across in 2,000 towns and cities light up

Friday 3 June - National Service of Thanksgiving is held at St Pauls. Ringing of Great Paul, the restored biggest church bell in the country

Saturday 4 June - The Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse - and BBC Platinum Party at the Palace

Sunday 5 June - Big Jubilee Lunch and street parties. Platinum Jubilee Pageant, a procession and performance in central London, involving 10,000 people and the Gold State Coach

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Food Halls Defy Hospitality Slowdown, Emerging as Bright Spot in Challenging Market
UK Sets Firm Conditions for Military Action, Insisting on Legal Mandate and Clear Strategy
UK Medicines Regulator Launches Probe into Peptide Clinics Over Health Claims
New North Sea Drilling Unlikely to Significantly Cut UK Gas Imports, Analysis Finds
Woman Linked to UK’s First All-Female Terror Plot Faces Deportation
Downed US Aircraft Over Iran Linked to Operations from UK Airfield
Two Men and Teen Detained in UK Following Attack on Jewish Charity Ambulance
UK Police Launch Inquiry After Firearms Left Unattended Outside Mayor’s Residence
Giuffre Family Calls on King Charles to Meet Epstein Survivors During US Visit
Amber Wind Warning Issued as Storm Dave Approaches Parts of the United Kingdom
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit Set to Draw Heightened Global Attention
UK Considers Entry Fees for Overseas Visitors at Major Museums Ahead of 2026 Travel Season
UK Prime Minister and Kuwait Crown Prince Coordinate Security Response After Regional Escalation
Calls Grow to Expand Fully Paid Maternity Leave for UK Teachers Amid Workforce Pressures
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access to US Market in Landmark Pharmaceuticals Agreement
Trump Projects Strength in Critique of UK Leadership and Naval Readiness
UK FinTech Setback as VibePay and Smartlayer Cease Operations Amid Funding Pressures
UK Leads Global Coalition of Over Forty Nations to Address Strait of Hormuz Crisis
UK Firms Urged to Accelerate Preparation as New Sustainability Reporting Rules Take Shape
UK Moves Rapid Sentry Air Defence System to Kuwait After Drone Strike Escalation
Transatlantic Relations Tested as UK Seeks Balance While Trump Reshapes Strategic Approach
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
×