Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryare joining the royal family in celebratingQueen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.
On Friday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a national service of thanksgiving in the Queen’s honor at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The event marks the first time that Harry and Meghan have publicly reunited with senior members of the royal family — includingPrince WilliamandKate Middleton— sinceCommonwealth Day in March 2020, which was Harry and Meghan’s final royal appearance before they stepped back from their roles as senior working royals.
Upon their arrival, Meghan and Harry held hands as they waved to the crowds of people. Despite reports to the contrary, they were greeted with cheers. They were escorted to their seats in the second row withPrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenieand their husbands and behind Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Their seats were across the aisle fromPrince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall,Prince WilliamandKate Middleton, who sat in the front row.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Alberto Pezzali/AP/Shutterstock
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As William and Kate made their way to their seats in the front row, there was no eye contact made between the two couples. There was also no interaction between the Sussexes, the Cambridges, Charles and Camilla as they left the service. Harry and Meghan were seen chatting with Harry’s cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral before leaving.
Peter Phillips, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Zara Tindall at St. Paul’s Cathedral on June 3.PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who now live in Montecito, California, arrived in the U.K. on Wednesday with their two children — Archie, 3, and Lili, who turns 1 on Saturday.
Although several royal family members were in attendance on Friday, the guest of honor,Queen Elizabeth, was noticeably missing. The palace announced on Thursday that the monarch would not be attending due to feeling “some discomfort” at Trooping the Colour due to ongoing mobility issues. It was a regrettable but sensible move, a royal source tells PEOPLE.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Dan Kitwood -WPA Pool/Getty Images
Royal Historian Hugo Vickers tells PEOPLE, “When you think that the Queen was here at St. Paul’s for the Silver Jubilee of her grandfather George V 85 years ago in 1935 when she was nine, it puts into perspective her long life in the public eye.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images
On Thursday, Meghan and Harry joined extended members of the royal family for Trooping the Colour. Since they are no longer senior working royals, they were not invited to appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace or to take part in a carriage procession during the parade. Instead, they viewed the event alongside other royals from the Major General’s Office, which overlooks the Horse Guards Parade.
Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images
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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Lady Sarah Chatto.PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
The four-day celebration will wrap with the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday, featuring a parade down The Mall to Buckingham Palace in London.
source: people.com
