Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee LIVE – 'Sussex bomb' about to EXPLODE as Prince Harry & Meghan Markle to arrive in UK
THERE ARE growing fears that a “Sussex bomb” is about to be dropped on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations – and could cause a right royal headache.
This comes following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's controversial Oprah Winfrey interview, and information of the Duke’s forthcoming, warts-and-all autobiography.
It has been said that royal courtiers have been doing a lot to diffuse any potential flashpoints, report the Telegraph.
Despite this, there is the prospect of a Netflix film crew also making an appearance – something which is allegedly going to be an inflicting consternation.
However, the palace stays accountable for the “official” engagements the couple plan to attend as they’re on the visitor listing for Friday’s Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, though presumably not within the royal procession.
The Telegraph also reported that, the royal couple stick to the script by “avoiding visits elsewhere”.
The palace additionally seems to be unaware of any potential competing engagements, with one insider revealing: “I don’t think they’re doing much. I wouldn’t be surprised if they just do Trooping and the service and that’s it.”
Read our Royal Family blog below for the latest updates…
- Milica Cosic
Meghan doesn’t want ‘damaging’ royal rift repaired
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry will reunite with the Royal Family this weekend to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Speaking to The Sun, Howard Hodgson did not predict that the Jubilee would mark a significant improvement in relations between Harry and his family.
He said: “I don’t think Meghan wants it to be repaired, because if it was repaired, that might get Harry wanting to come back and play his role.
“In a way, Prince Charles doesn’t want any focus going in that direction, he wants a straight-line focus on him, William, George.”
However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the Queen will “go out of her way” to welcome Meghan and Harry back into the fold with some “special gestures”.
He told The Sun: “There’s this rift with the Sussexes and it’s been really damaging.
“My own feeling is the Queen will go out of her way to be as generous a host as she possibly can.
“Nobody wants a repeat of what happened at the rather extraordinary Commonwealth Day, with the Cambridges and Sussexes actually looking hostile to each other.
“Anything like that is not going to happen now… I wouldn’t be surprised if there are special gestures to make them feel welcome.”
- Milica Cosic
Ways ‘killjoy’ councils are RUINING the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Miserable local authorities will be on the lookout to make sure a jubilant 15 million Brits attending street parties stick to boring rules – and they won't hold back in dishing out punishments either.
But there are now mounting fears councils could ruin the Jubilee celebrations altogether as an estimated 3.8 million Brits could end up throwing illegal bashes unknowingly.
Here is a list of potential hazards that could get you in trouble, despite their seemingly innocent intentions.
- Bunting could get you in trouble, as residents in Portsmouth, Hampshire found out.
- Residents in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, have been dealt the deflating news that they won't be allowed to release balloons as they celebrate The Queen's 70-years on the throne.
- Punters across Scotland could face hefty fines for boozing during street parties for the Queen’s Jubilee with rules varying across the 32 council areas.
- Live music for up to 500 people between 8am and 11pm should be permitted under The Live Music Act, assuming a street is a “workplace”
- A traditional street party must be limited to under 500-guests, according to UK law.
- You must register to throw a street party if you are on a public road, otherwise, you will get an unwelcome visit from the local authority.
Read the article in full here.
- Milica Cosic
'Harry & Meghan, a reminder the Jubilee is not all about YOU'
This is a comment piece by Arthur Edwards.
Dear Prince Harry and Meghan,
It is great news that you are coming to the United Kingdom to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
But, as I am sure you are both already aware, this week’s historic Bank Holiday celebrations is all about commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s remarkable reign.
And, with respect, it is not about the pair of you.
I am certain that the Queen will be delighted to see you both again, as well as Archie, but most of all she will be delighted at getting the chance to hold Lili in her arms.
When you do meet your grandmother again, Prince Harry, you will find — despite your concerns — that Her Majesty is well protected and in safe hands.
This time, I hope you will leave your Netflix crew behind and allow the Queen to take centre stage during these four days of national celebrations to mark her unique 70-year reign.
Please, Harry and Meghan, don’t let Her Majesty down and, for once, take a back seat. Let the real star of the Jubilee shine.
Warmest regards, Arthur
Read the letter in full here.
- Milica Cosic
Royal Family super fans camping in London HOURS before Jubilee celebrations
ROYAL super-fans have been spotted camping out in London for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – a whole 53 hours before it begins.
Some fans of the royal family have been snapped today, already camped out near Buckingham Palace in Westminster.
John Loughrey and Maria Scott arrived today to camp on the Mall, a road that stretches between Buckingham Palace at its western end and Trafalgar Square towards the east, report MyLondon.
The pair are pictured camping outside wearing royal merchandise, covered in a jubilee-themed blanket with a silhouette of the Queen.
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations begin on June 2.
The first day of celebrations will begin with the Trooping the Colour, which is the Queen's birthday parade, and will see a military parade with soldiers, musicians and horses on show all involved in the performance.
FILE â Revelers on the Mall in London watch Britain Queen Elizabeth II appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony as part of a four-day Diamond Jubilee celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II accession to the throne, in London, June 5, 2012. The balcony appearance is the centerpiece of almost all royal [â¦]Credit: AP - Louis Allwood
Your Queen’s Jubilee party could be shut DOWN
Street parties over the Platinum Jubilee weekend could be shut down if organisers don't have the correct permission.
Fifteen million Brits plan to celebrate the Queen's 70-year reign with their neighbours – but only 16,000 official applications have been approved.
It means thousands of roads could be closed illegally, and partygoers face their events being scrapped after the festivities have already kicked off.
The government ministry in charge of local authorities has urged residents to swap their full-blown bashes for scaled back "street meets" if they have missed the deadline to apply for a road closure licence.
A source told The Telegraph: "People cannot unilaterally close roads down, the council needs around six weeks' notice.
"If people can't close their road because they've left it too late, they can plan a 'street meet' which would keep the road open but can be organised on private land."
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities said this could be setting up on a driveway or front garden.
Among those to issue the advice was Solihull Council in the West Midlands.
A spokesperson said: "It’s too late to apply for a street party and road closure but you can hold a street meet on private land if you avoid obstructing the road or pavements."
- Louis Allwood
Queen set to extend ‘special gesture’ to Harry & Meg
A royal expert has predicted that the Queen is set to extend a “special gesture” to Harry and Meghan on their return.
Richard Fitzwilliam’s told MailOnline: “Given the fact that there will be worldwide interest in [Harry and Meghan’s] appearance, it would not be surprising if a special welcome was extended to them in some form by the Queen.
“She specialises in kindly gestures and this is important”.
- Louis Allwood
Charles will find it ‘very hard’ to follow Queen’s age-old mantra as king
A royal expert has claimed that Prince Charles will find it "very hard" to follow the Queen's age-old mantra of "never complain, never explain" as King.
Howard Hodgson, author of 'Charles – The Man Who Will Be King’, told Express.co.uk: “He’s a very much more opinionated person than Her Majesty as we’ve all seen in his tenure as the Prince of Wales.
“At times, he’s been very controversial. Will he be controversial as Prince Regent or King?
"I think he knows that once he becomes king, he cannot engage in much controversy. He has to actually have no opinion and just show up for public duty.”
Mr Hodgson continued: “But it will be very hard for him, much harder for him than the Queen because he has these passionate beliefs."
- Louis Allwood
Queen's glimmer in her eye as she prepares for Jubilee
An expert has said that The Queen has a "twinkle of mischief" in her eye as she prepares for the Jubilee.
Writing for The Daily Beast, Clive Irving said: "The Queen has suddenly gone from being a regular no-show at events she formerly never missed (like reading the speech that opens a new parliament) to being a fully engaged public figure.
“And it feels like she’s having fun doing it, that there’s a twinkle of mischief in the regal eye when demonstrating that she can still actually walk, talk, and cast the magic spell of her presence.”
- Louis Allwood
William ‘will worry’ over Meg & Harry’s potential Jubilee ‘stunts’
A royal expert has claimed that Prince William will be worried Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will “pull a stunt” at the Queen’s Jubilee in order to get into the limelight onto them.
Speculating on the Royal Family’s reaction to the Sussexes’ return, Tom Bower said: “William will worry that Harry and Meghan will pull a stunt to try to get the limelight.
“Kate and William would be foolish not to be suspicious and would be unwise not to be cautious.”
- Louis Allwood
Harry & Meghan praised for making William and Kate into stars
According to a royal author, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle deserve "credit" for making William and Kate into stars.
Duncan Larcombe told True Royalty TV's The Royal Beat that we are now seeing "the Prince and Princess of Wales" in waiting – and it is all down to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
In response, Tessa Dunlop said: "I think we have got to give some of the credit to Harry and Meghan because I think they forced the couple to slightly kickstart their star quality.”
Despite this, one royal biographer, Angela Levin, told the MailOnline that the thanksgiving service will be "very stressful for the royals, especially for William and Catherine, who feel the Sussexes have badly let down the Royal Family".
She added: "It will be just as frosty as the Commonwealth Service in 2020.
"The brothers will look serious and I suspect Meghan's Hollywood smile will be fixed'."
- Louis Allwood
'Increasingly unlikely' Queen will be at Epsom for the Derby
Aides are making every effort to manage Her Majesty’s diary so as not to tire her.
She has been suffering “episodic mobility problems” for six months and uses a walking stick.
Last week, she was chauffeured around the Chelsea Flower Show in a £62,000 buggy.
She has been at Craigowan Lodge, her Highlands bolthole with its own wheelchair-friendly lift on her Balmoral Estate.
Sources close to the Queen say it is becoming “increasingly unlikely” she will travel to Epsom for the Derby after all three of her horses pulled out of the race.
Efforts had been made to ensure she could get to the royal box on the big day but palace sources tell The Sun it will be called off.
- Louis Allwood
Queen set to meet Lilibet
THE Queen has freed up her diary to attend a possible first birthday party for Lilibet — Harry and Meghan’s daughter named in her honour.
Her Majesty, 96, is likely to miss her favourite sporting event, the Derby, on Saturday — the day her great granddaughter turns one.
The monarch has never met the tot whose first anniversary is set to be marked by Harry, 37, and mum-of-two Meghan, 40, at Frogmore Cottage a stone’s throw from Windsor Castle.
- Louis Allwood
Where can you see the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert?
BIG screens will be set up outdoors in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff so thousands of people can come together to enjoy the celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Screens in London, broadcasting the BBC’s live feed, will be placed down The Mall and in St James’s Park for members of the public to watch the events that are taking place across the Bank Holiday weekend.
In Edinburgh, they will be set up in Princes Street Gardens, with thousands able to have picnics and watch the celebrations – against a backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and with entertainment provided by the Royal Marines and local performers.
Cardiff is inviting families to bring along a Jubilee picnic and enjoy an afternoon in Bute Park.
The beautiful Grade I listed park in the heart of the city centre will provide the perfect venue for an afternoon of celebrations, as families are invited to enjoy the pageant on a large screen, along with entertainment from the bandstand.
- Louis Allwood
Meghan and Harry 'to be at St Paul's'
PRINCE HARRY and his wife Meghan are expected to be among the congregation at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday morning.
They will be there for a national service of thanksgiving for the Queen’s reign.
It will be the couple’s first outing together with the entire Royal Family since they quit “The Firm” in 2020.
Their children Archie, three, and Lilibet, who turns one during the long Jubilee weekend, are unlikely to attend.
Courtiers have been moving heaven and earth to make sure the 96-year-old monarch can get easy access to the cathedral, where Charles and Diana were married in 1981.
Normally the royals climb the great staircase at the front of St Paul’s but the Queen, who now has trouble walking, will arrive via a side entrance.
It is understood Prince Andrew will also be there – most likely his only public appearance of the Jubilee.
Before the service, which starts at 11.30am, Great Paul – the largest church bell in Britain – will toll.
The 16-and-a-half-ton bell has only rung on eight occasions since it was restored last year – and this will be the first time for a royal event.
Five minutes later, bells will peal in churches the length and breadth of Britain. More than 2,000 invited guests attending the national service of thanksgiving will hear a new anthem for the Jubilee played for the first time.
During the 2012 Diamond Jubilee service of thanksgiving the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, gave a reading about service to others. It has not been confirmed whether Boris Johnson will read at this week’s service.
Afterwards, the Lord Mayor will host a reception at Guildhall at 12.25pm attended by the Royal Family.
- Louis Allwood
Your essential guide to the Platinum Jubilee weekend
BRITAIN will blaze with beautiful Jubilee Beacons to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
Almost 3,000 will be lit across the UK and abroad on Friday to mark Queen Elizabeth’s record-breaking reign.
Celebrations will be both big and small, with community groups, charities and local councils throughout the UK and overseas territories taking part in lighting ceremonies to mark the start of Jubilee weekend.
The principal beacon will be lit in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace by a senior royal on Thursday evening.
It will take the form of a stunning lighting installation with the Queen’s Green Canopy Tree Of Trees sculpture and projections on to the front of Buckingham Palace.
Read more here.
- Louis Allwood
What celebrations are planned?
An extensive programme of public events will mix traditional pageantry with cutting edge technological displays.
On Thursday June 2, a big celebratory parade will take place, to honour The Queen's birthday.
Members of the Royal Family will join 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians, parading down The Mall on horseback, while The Queen watches from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Following the tradition, beacons will be lit throughout the UK, and for the first time, in each capital of the Commonwealth countries.
On Friday, June 3, a service of Thanksgiving will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral, to celebrate The Queen's time on the throne.
The next day on Saturday, June 4, Her Majesty and some members of the Royal Family will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs.
After, the BBC will bring special celebrity guests to the Buckingham Palace for a celebratory concert, which will be broadcasted live.
The event will be open to members of the public, selected by a special ballot.
- Louis Allwood
Meghan Markle ‘STILL has not spoken to sick dad Thomas’ despite claims she tried to reach out
Meghan Markle has not spoken to her estranged dad since he suffered a stroke last week, her sister Samantha Markle claimed today.
The Duchess of Sussex was rumoured to have reached out to Thomas Markle, 77, after he was rushed to hospital last Monday.
The retired Hollywood lighting director fell ill in Mexico and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
He was discharged five days later and has since revealed he is “struggling to speak” in his recovery.
But Samantha, Meghan’s half sister, said the duchess has not been in touch.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Samantha, 57, said: “I heard rumours that she was trying to reach out to my dad’s camp but my brother and I are my dad’s camp and his number has never changed.
“Even though he can’t speak, his language comprehension is perfect – she could text him or contact him and he would text back.”
She added: “Those rumours are not true she has not reached out.”
- Louis Allwood
Meg and Harry and not the only royals to love a Jaguar
Known for their love of the British automobile industry, it's no wonder Jaguar earned a spot in the royal car collection.
The Queen owned a Jaguar X-Type estate for seven years which she would sometimes use instead of her beloved Defender.
It featured several modifications, such as vents designed to ventilate the vehicle without blowing air directly onto the monarch’s face – a bugbear of hers, apparently.
It also had a sliding holder designed to accommodate the Queen’s particular style of handbag.
Prince Charles purchased Jaguar's first electric car in 2018, after seemingly being inspired by Harry and Meg's use of the premium vehicle at their wedding.
Harry has been seen in both coupe and convertible versions of the E-Type and F-Type.
- Louis Allwood
Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen leaves BBC viewers sobbing just minutes in
BBC viewers were resorted to tears just minutes into the television special Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen.
The documentary, which aired ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, contained archive footage through her life, with most of it previously unseen.
The introduction, narrated by Queen Elizabeth, explained that the family had a love of filming their life.
Those watching at home were soon left in tears before the opening credits had even rolled, as it gave a few glimpses of Queen Elizabeth in her younger days.
Taking to Twitter, one person penned: "Literally 30 seconds into The Unseen Queen and I'm crying."
In reply to their tweet, others posted: "So am I – it's so emotional," as another echoed: "Me too!"
- Louis Allwood
Why is the Land Rover a staple choice for the Royal family?
A staple choice for royal journeys is the Land Rover, with the Queen thought to have owned about 30 over the course of her reign.
And her love of a four-wheel-drive has been inherited by her relatives, as they each enjoy riding in the luxury SUVs.
Their relationship with the great British automotive brand has spanned for decades, with Her Majesty, Prince Charles, Wills and Harry all being fans.
The firm built the Queen a custom 2002 Defender, boasting non-standard leather seats and an enormous V8 petrol engine.
Prince Philip's coffin was even transported by a specially adapted Defender at his funeral in April last year.
Prince Harry and Meghan were also seen riding around in mini versions of the luxury motor at the Invictus Games.
Among other Land Rovers past and present, William and Kate have been photographed in a Series III.
- Louis Allwood
Piers Morgan RAGES at ‘selfish’ Prince Harry & Meg
Piers Morgan has taken a swipe at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, claiming they will “hijack” the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.
Speaking on his TalkTV show last week, former GMB host Piers blasted: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the southern English county that I come from, incidentally, where they’ve spent precisely three hours, are a pair of undignified, whiney, hypocritical virtue-signalling, selfish wastrels.
“The privacy demanding, poverty preaching carbon-conscious couple will fly 5,000 miles, spilling 1.5 metric tones of CO2 emissions, accompanied of course by the Netflix documentary camera crew recording their Kardashian-style, reality show.
“The emissions of most concern to me, however, are the other noxious toxic fumes they will inevitably emit from the moment they land here and make the jubilee all about themselves.
“And I’m already shuddering at how this fame-hungry duo will hijack the headlines from the woman [The Queen] who should be given them purely to cement their rival royal brand.”
- Louis Allwood
Kate Middleton's 'shock statement about Meghan Markle & Prince Harry'
Kate Middleton paid tribute to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding on the eve of the couple's return to the UK for the Platinum Jubilee, say royal fans.
Arriving at a Buckingham Palace garden party on Wednesday last week, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a mint green Philip Treacy fascinator.
The hat was nearly identical to the design she wore at the Sussexes wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018, which was white with cream roses.
Kate Middleton looked incredible as she matched it to a mint dress with long puff sleeves.
She completed the outfit with a pair of suede Jimmy Choo heeled pumps and a matching clutch bag.
And royal fans think the ensemble is a sweet nod to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who are set to return soon for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
- Louis Allwood
Exclusive – Meghan Markle doesn’t want ‘damaging’ royal rift repaired, says royal expert
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry will reunite with the Royal Family this weekend to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
But while the event could create the perfect opportunity to heal the ‘rift‘ between the Firm and the Sussexes, one royal author has claimed building bridges is the last thing on Meghan‘s mind.
Speaking to The Sun, Howard Hodgson did not predict that the Jubilee would mark a significant improvement in relations between Harry and his family.
He said: “I don’t think Meghan wants it to be repaired, because if it was repaired, that might get Harry wanting to come back and play his role.
“In a way, Prince Charles doesn’t want any focus going in that direction, he wants a straight-line focus on him, William, George.”
However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the Queen will “go out of her way” to welcome Meghan and Harry back into the fold with some “special gestures”.
- Louis Allwood
Your Queen’s Jubilee party could be shut DOWN
Street parties over the Platinum Jubilee weekend could be shut down if organisers don't have the correct permission.
Fifteen million Brits plan to celebrate the Queen's 70-year reign with their neighbours – but only 16,000 official applications have been approved.
It means thousands of roads could be closed illegally, and partygoers face their events being scrapped after the festivities have already kicked off.
The government ministry in charge of local authorities has urged residents to swap their full-blown bashes for scaled back "street meets" if they have missed the deadline to apply for a road closure licence.
A source told The Telegraph: "People cannot unilaterally close roads down, the council needs around six weeks' notice.
"If people can't close their road because they've left it too late, they can plan a 'street meet' which would keep the road open but can be organised on private land."
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities said this could be setting up on a driveway or front garden.
Among those to issue the advice was Solihull Council in the West Midlands.
A spokesperson said: "It’s too late to apply for a street party and road closure but you can hold a street meet on private land if you avoid obstructing the road or pavements."
- Louis Allwood
Queen set to extend ‘special gesture’ to Harry & Meg
A royal expert has predicted that the Queen is set to extend a “special gesture” to Harry and Meghan on their return.
Richard Fitzwilliam’s told MailOnline: “Given the fact that there will be worldwide interest in [Harry and Meghan’s] appearance, it would not be surprising if a special welcome was extended to them in some form by the Queen.
“She specialises in kindly gestures and this is important”.
Source: Read Full Article