Where Meghan, Prince Harry sat for National Service of Thanksgiving
As the Royal Family took their seats inside St Paul’s Cathedral, Meghan and Prince Harry were far away from Wills and Kate. See the photos.
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Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have made their first public appearance in Britain in two years, at a church service for Queen Elizabeth II.
But any hopes that the family would be all back together were scuppered after his grandmother overdid it at Thursday’s launch of the four days of celebrations for her historic Platinum Jubilee.
Buckingham Palace said the 96-year-old monarch, who has been dogged by mobility problems for months, experienced “some discomfort” after two public appearances on the balcony after the Trooping the Colour military parade.
“Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in the national service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend,” it added.
After arriving separately, the grinning Sussexes took their places in the second row of the congregation next to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, while Kate and Wills were in the front row on the other side.
There will be no sign either of the queen’s second son Prince Andrew, who was not at Thursday’s parade. It was later announced he had tested positive for Covid.
Royal officials have reportedly urged the queen to pace herself during the public events for her record-breaking 70 years on the throne because of her difficulties standing and walking.
What the palace has described as “episodic mobility problems” forced her to pull out of engagements since October last year.
But her heir Prince Charles, 73, was there to represent her as the most senior-ranking royal, in preparation for his future role as king.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were seated in the second row alongside Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie for the National Service of Thanksgiving.
While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in prime position, seated in the front row and far from the Sussexes on the other side of the aisle, Harry and Meghan seemed at ease throughout the high-profile occasion - sharing smiles and jokes with family members and other attendees.
More than 400 people were invited to Friday’s service, including health and social care staff to give thanks for their work during the Covid pandemic.
Crowds cheered the Queen as she appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Trooping the Colour parade at the start of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Thousands turned out in brilliant sunshine on The Mall in London for the annual parade to mark the monarch’s birthday.
The 96-year-old also appeared on the balcony with senior members of the royal family to view an RAF flyover.
On Thursday, Prince Charles stood in for his mother at the Trooping the Colour, taking the salute on horseback.
The parade marked the start of four days of official celebrations of the Queen’s 70-year reign, the longest by a British monarch.
See the best photos of the celebration so far.
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Originally published as Where Meghan, Prince Harry sat for National Service of Thanksgiving
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