Royal family news – live: Sussexes release photograph of daughter Lilibet after arriving in US

Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter turns one during her first trip to the UK

Queen makes balcony appearance to mark end of platinum jubilee

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released a picture of their daughter Lilibet after celebrating her first birthday.

The photograph of Lilibet, who celebrated the occasion with family and close friends of the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor on Saturday, is understood to have been taken by family friend Misan Harriman.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s second child, born on 4 June 2021 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.

The couple have been “incredibly touched” by the birthday wishes that have flooded in for Lilibet.

More than 100,000 dollars (£79,800) in donations to the World Central Kitchen were made in her honour by people around the world, for which the Duke and Duchess have also expressed their gratitude.

It follows reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had returned to the US following a short trip to the UK for the jubilee celebrations.

The early departure means the Sussexes missed the finale of the festivities, which saw the Queen make a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the royal standard flag was raised above the residence during the pageant.

Key points

• Harry and Meghan release picture of daughter Lilibet on first birthday
• Queen makes statement to mark end of platinum jubilee weekend
• The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: the best moments of the weekend celebrations
• Harry and Meghan return to California following UK Visit

[16 May 2022 10:24 · Laura Hampson]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog following all the latest news from the Queen as she prepares for the Platinum Jubilee.

[16 May 2022 10:29 · Laura Hampson]

When is the Platinum Jubilee?

The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations are fast approaching, with Britons eagerly anticipating a four-day weekend next month.

The Platinum Jubilee marks Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th year on the throne - an achievement Her Majesty reached on 6 February this year.

The bank holiday weekend will see four days of celebrations, with events including Trooping the Colour, a Platinum Jubilee concert, a pageant, and a Service of Thanksgiving.

The Jubilee celebrations will start on Thursday 2 June and end on Sunday 5 June.

Here’s everything you need to know about when the Jubilee is happening, as well as which members of the royal family will be in attendance:

[16 May 2022 11:26 · Laura Hampson]

Experts to reflect on Queen’s seven decades on the throne

To celebrate the Queen’s 70th year as Britain’s monarch, Laura Hampson will speak to royal experts Jennie Bond and Sean O’Grady about Her Majesty’s most memorable moments, the biggest scandals she has faced, and how she redefined what it means to serve one’s country.

This virtual event will take place on Zoom on Thursday 19 May at 6.30pm.

For more information and to sign up for a free ticket click here.

You can find out more about the event here:

[16 May 2022 12:15 · Laura Hampson]

What events are scheduled to take place for the Platinum Jubilee?

There are several events set to take place over the Platinum Jubilee weekend, including Trooping the Colour, a Service of Thanksgiving, and the Platinum Party at the Palace.

Other events will include the Derby at Epson Downs, a Platinum Jubilee Pageant, and the Platinum Jubilee Beacons.

Kate Ng has the full schedule here:

[16 May 2022 23:04 · Laura Hampson]

70 facts about the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee

To celebrate Her Majesty’s milestone, Buckingham Palace has released 70 facts about the Queen to celebrate her seven-decade reign.

From becoming the longest-reigning monarch in British history, to her first trip on the London Underground, and details from her wedding to Prince Philip, here are some things you might not know about Queen Elizabeth II.

[17 May 2022 00:56 · Laura Hampson]

Where will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stay during the Platinum Jubilee?

While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have confirmed they will be attending Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations along with their two children next month, one question remains: where will they stay?

Chelsea Ritschel investigates here:

[17 May 2022 02:08 · Laura Hampson]

Harry, Meghan and Andrew won’t join Queen on Buckingham Palace balcony

In case you missed it, earlier this month Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Andrew, along with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not join other members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the Trooping the Colour parade.

The monarch’s decision to only include royals carrying out official public duties was taken “after careful consideration”, Buckingham Palace said.

Read the full report here:

[17 May 2022 04:16 · Laura Hampson]

Do we get an extra bank holiday in 2022?

The culture secretary Oliver Dowden announced the additional bank holiday in November 2020 and confirmed that the May bank holiday weekend would be moved to Thursday 2 June.

The Platinum Jubilee bank holiday will then take place the following day, on Friday 3 June, resulting in a four-day bank holiday weekend for the nation.

According to the Royal Family’s website, the bank holiday will “provide an opportunity for communities and people throughout the United Kingdom to come together to celebrate the historic milestone”.

Read more here:

[17 May 2022 07:48 · Laura Hampson]

Why does the Queen have two birthdays?

The monarch’s birthday is celebrated on her actual date of birth in April, and also later on in the summer with a grand parade by Buckingham Palace.

This year, the Queen’s Birthday Parade, Trooping the Colour, will take place on 2 June instead of 11 June to coincide with Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.

So why does the Queen celebrate two birthdays every year? Sabrina Barr has the answer:

[17 May 2022 14:15 · Laura Hampson]

What events will the Queen attend on the platinum jubilee weekend?

Despite the Queen’s recent public appearances over the weekend and today, the question of whether the 96-year-old will be fit to attend all the events is still up for debate due to her episodic mobility issues.

So, what events is Her Majesty expected to attend over the bank holiday weekend?