If the Duke and Duchess of Sussex thought returning to London for the Queen’s Jubilee would mean all is forgiven and soon to be forgotten, they quickly got the message this was not to be.
The look of surprise when an usher showed them to the cheap seats at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee thanksgiving service was plain for all to see.
“Once they had finally squeezed past the York sisters and taken a seat behind the Wessex kids, Harry had a face like thunder,” says a witness.
“He knew being placed so far back in the ranks was designed to show him where he stood.”
Prince Harry and Meghan at the Queen’s Jubilee.
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A palace insider says there “can be no doubt” that the Sussexes’ seating arrangements were signed off by Prince William, who, along with Prince Charles, spearheaded most of the arrangements in honour of their absent 96-year-old granny, the Queen.
“When William and Catherine didn’t even look in their direction, it became obvious that this was a right royal snub,” says a royal insider.
Our source says 39-year-old William’s message to his US-based relatives was clear.
“He wanted them to understand that nobody is bigger than the monarchy, and feels very much it is time the Sussexes offer an apology to the Queen and the family.
“The sentiment from William is, ‘Look around you – hundreds of thousands of people are here to celebrate the Queen.’ All their petulant claims in the media about suffering in royal life and being cut off financially, which could have been very damaging to the institution, have amounted to nothing.
“William is at the point where even if the Sussexes did apologise – which they haven’t – it wouldn’t mean anything,” says the royal insider
“William is at the point where even if the Sussexes did apologise – which they haven’t – it wouldn’t mean anything.”
(Image: Getty)When Lilibet met Lilibet
The Queen waited 363 days to finally meet the great-granddaughter who bears her family nickname.
Woman’s Day understands the Sussexes, who were staying at Frogmore Cottage on Windsor Castle grounds, together with their children, were invited to the Queen’s sitting room for a formal introduction.
“The Queen was besotted, and you can’t blame her. Lili is incredibly cute and looks just like her daddy,” says a source.
“It was also lovely for Her Majesty to see Archie now he’s three. The Sussexes have kept the Queen abreast of their lives through regular video calls, but it was nothing like the real thing.”
The world was thrilled to meet little Lilibet.
(Image: Misan Harriman)“Lili is very cheeky like her dad,” says an insider close to the Sussexes. “You can see why the Queen – and now everyone else – was instantly smitten with her. She is all Harry!”
The world also got their first real glimpse of Lilibet, after photographer Misan Harriman released images from Lili’s “casual backyard picnic” birthday party.
It’s thought her cake was made by the same baker who created her parents’ wedding cake.
