Two senior royals, King Charles and Prince William put their foot down when it came to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exclusion from the balcony during Trooping the Colour 2022, according to an insider.
Despite at the time, the Palace saying that “the Queen has decided” that the iconic balcony appearance will be limited to “those members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties”, the source said that it was her son and grandson who felt strongly about it.
The year 2022 marked the milestone year of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which took place between June 2 and June 5 over a long weekend.
Speaking about William and Charles at the time, the insider told the Star: “They feel that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have caused nothing but chaos since moving to America with their endless tell-alls and interviews throwing shade at the Royal Family.
“They think it would be hypocritical of Harry and Meghan acting all smiles and waving to the crowds from the balcony like they’re one big happy family.”
While there was speculation over who would appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the annual flypast, a statement from the Queen announced that only working members of the Royal Family would be present on the iconic spot.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit royal duties in 2020 and stepped down as senior working royals to eventually re-settle in Montecito, California, where they now reside with two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
The previous year before the jubilee celebrations, Harry and Meghan’s ‘tell-all’ interview with US TV host Oprah Winfrey was aired on March 7, 2021, giving a shocking look at life at the palace, which in turn ruffled feathers with the Royal Family.
The Platinum Jubilee in 2022 was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first trip back to the UK after formally giving up their royal duties.
Although the trip saw them take part in the landmark celebration for the late Queen Elizabeth II, it was far from a roaring success for the Montecito couple.
As part of the celebration, the couple attended a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral but they were not in the front row for the ceremony. Instead, they were relegated to the second row, while Prince William and Princess Kate sat prominently in the first.
Though not in attendance at the service, the couple’s children also joined their parents on the trip. At the time, it was reported that the late Queen had met Lilibet for the first time at Windsor Castle, privately.
