Harry and Meghan could STILL appear on Buckingham Palace balcony despite Queen’s ban

Harry and Meghan could still appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, despite the Queen sensationally imposing a ban.

A dramatic statement at 3pm said the couple – as well as the Duke of York – would not be invited onto the balcony for Trooping the Colour, the spectacular start of her long weekend of commemorations.

Then just 18 minutes later, the defiant Sussexes finally revealed in a tweet via their friend and journalist Omid Scobie that they will still fly in from California – with Archie, three today, and Lilibet, 11 months – for the events to mark the monarch’s 70 years on the throne that begin on June 2.

But palace sources suggest the outcast couple could make a starring appearance at the pageant finale alongside other senior royals, possibly even as part of a second balcony appearance.

The Queen’s decision is unlikely to fall comfortably with all Royal Family members – particularly Prince William – who have been left deeply hurt and angered by Harry’s behaviour. But sources said there was little doubt that all would put their feelings to one side for the sake of the monarch.

‘At the end of the day it is about celebrating the historic achievement of a truly remarkable woman. No one would want to disrespect the Queen by continuing hostilities in public,’ said one.

Another said: ‘Despite what has happened in recent years and what may be yet to come given that Harry’s memoirs have yet to come out, family members will accept the Queen’s olive branch in the spirit it was extended. The body language will be fascinating, mind you.’

Some might question the timing of Harry and Meghan’s visit given this week’s news that her first major project in a multi-million-dollar deal with Netflix has been scrapped by the streaming giant.

There are those who will view their keenness to be seen alongside the rest of the Royal Family – who just last year they accused of racism and abandoning them, both emotionally and financially – as part of an attempt to emphasise their links with the monarchy and strengthen their bankability.

However a palace source said: ‘They are much-loved members of the family and [the Queen said] they would be invited to family events. We’ve always made that clear.’

Following Trooping the Colour, 18 family members will be on the balcony: The Queen; Charles and Camilla; William and Kate with George, Charlotte and Louis; Edward and Sophie and their children Louise and James; Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence; the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

But Prince Andrew’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, will not. Andrew has stepped down from public duties and only weeks ago paid millions out of court to settle a civil sexual assault case.

But it is understood the Queen is making a special effort to include his daughters – of whom she is extremely fond – in every other aspect of the jubilee celebrations.

It will be the first time the Windsors have appeared on the balcony since the Queen’s official birthday parade in 2019.

It comes as a number of royal experts warned that Harry and Meghan’s mere presence back in the UK threatens to overshadow the festivities. 

Tom Bower told MailOnline: ‘They have been forced to accept a downgraded role – grouped with all the other VIPs – but are clearly desperate not to be excluded. If the Palace is not remarkably careful, the Sussexes will milk the celebrations for their own benefit.

‘Hopefully, the Sussexes will be kept firmly in check to avoid their selfish interests dominating the celebration of the Queen’s awe-inspiring service to Britain.’

Royal author Angela Levin said the Queen had made a ‘great decision’ to restrict the balcony to working royals, adding: ‘It will have such a different positive atmosphere if there are working royals who support Her Majesty.’ 

On the Sussexes’ decision to attend other events she said: ‘The focus will be on them and how they behave, which the Jubilee shouldn’t be about’. 

Richard Fitzwilliams, another commentator, added: ‘There was [a danger] in the run up to it if this hadn’t been settled. I expect there will be an element of this in the US coverage.

‘However though there will still be a lot of speculation about what they will attend and what they will do, this is about one person. It is the Queen’s wish that they attend.

‘Although when they planned to do the Oprah interview they didn’t know Prince Philip would be ill, they nonetheless went ahead. That won’t be forgotten.

‘But the Queen wants the family to put on a united front. A huge amount has gone on behind the scenes to achieve this.’

The 96-year-old monarch’s decisive action to only include royals carrying out official public duties, such as Harry’s father and brother, for the Buckingham Palace parade was taken by her ‘after careful consideration’ – yet there are exceptions for some of Harry’s fellow grandchildren and some of the Queen’s great-grandchildren including George, Charlotte and Louis.

A palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance on Thursday June 2 will be limited to Her Majesty and those members of the royal family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the Queen’.

But it is understood the Sussexes have been invited to other jubilee events – likely to include the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday June 3. Andrew is also expected to be there.

The symbolic Trooping the Colour ban will be widely viewed as a rejection of Harry and Meghan, who quit the monarchy for a new life in the US two years ago, and to Andrew, who was cast out of the institution over his civil sexual assault case that saw him hand £12million to one of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex slaves. 

Royal biographer Tom Bower told MailOnline that the Queen had ended the ‘mystery farce created by the Sussexes’ about whether they would be on the balcony – but warned the couple, who have a big money deal with Netflix, may try to ‘milk’ the jubilee.

He said: ‘They [Harry and Meghan] have been forced to accept a downgraded role – grouped with all the other VIP’s – but are clearly desperate not to be excluded. If the Palace is not remarkably careful, the Sussexes will milk the celebrations for their own benefit. Hopefully, the Sussexes will be kept firmly in check to avoid their selfish interests dominating the celebration of the Queen’s awe-inspiring service to Britain’.

The event on June 2 will kick start the four days of Jubilee festivities, with 18 members of the royal family set to gather on the famous frontage, with the Queen ‘looking forward’ the weekend of celebrations. 

The Sussexes and the Duke of York will not be on the balcony with her for the sovereign’s official birthday parade. But there are exceptions, with Prince Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who is not a working royal, and various grandchildren and great-grandchildren including William and Kate’s children George, Charlotte and Louis. But there is no invite for Prince Andrew’s daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

The Palace spokesman added: ‘In addition the Cambridge and Wessex children are also expected to appear as is Sir Tim Laurence, who the Queen is happy to attend as a frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements.’ 

Experts said that today decision should be viewed as a victory for Prince Charles and Prince William – and as proof the Sussexes are ‘excluded from The Firm’ and Andrew has been ‘ordered to disappear’.

Harry’s decision to acrimoniously quit as a working royal and spend the last two years making a string of damning accusations against his family from across the Atlantic is understood to have caused the Queen great heartache. It is also said to have caused major rift with Prince William and Prince Charles, who may have been consulted about today’s bombshell decision.

Sky News royal commentator Alastair Bruce said: ‘I think that this Jubilee focuses so much upon her life and her life of service, and in a changing world it’s probably very sensible that the working members of the Royal Family who support the Queen in her duties are on the balcony at such a key moment.

‘In the past it’s always been quite well-filled with people who are part of her family, and many of them have never really been identified or known by a large number of the people who gather and watch from outside.

‘And I think for the Queen it’s probably with much tension about the role of the Duke of York and the role of the Duke of Sussex not now working in the Royal Family – perhaps it’s a good time and a good opportunity.

‘But the Palace itself is going through an enormous amount of renovation – particular the front that we know and see when you drive past – and it probably is very sensible to reduce the number of people walking through what is in fact a bit of a building site.

‘We’re getting quite close to the celebrations and there’s much being organised, and the Queen has had many of her staff looking very closely at what the best way to run each part of it is.

‘At essence, this is about celebrating the Queen’s 70 years as sovereign. And I think the Palace will want to make sure that we focus on that and don’t get distracted by all the noise that has come about over the last years about various members of her family and that this will perhaps focus everyone’s mind on the people who are committed.’

Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: ‘Jubilees are celebrations but they also are family occasions. Where there are public rifts in the family, as there have been in the royal family with the Sussexes, it is doubly harmful when it affects a unique national celebration such as the Platinum Jubilee.

‘The announcement though their unofficial spokesperson Omid Scobie that the Sussexes will attend and bring their children must therefore be seen in a spirit of harmony.

‘They are likely to attend the Service of Thanksgiving at St Pauls and perhaps other events, but the Queen has specified that they will not be on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, with those who are currently undertaking official public duties on her behalf.

‘This is a master stroke as it makes this controversial issue, of huge importance symbolically, crystal clear. The Sussexes will, most significantly, bring their children and the Queen will finally meet Lili.

‘With so little time to go, we were unaware whether the Sussexes would come or not. Their surprise, it was to the media anyway, visit to see the Queen before they attended the Invictus Games has apparently put Harry’s fears about security to rest.

‘His legal action against the government on this issue was unprecedented for a member of the royal family. This also may mark the realisation by the Sussexes that they are only in the position they are because of their royal links.

‘Ultimately, it’s hard to be a successful philanthropist when you have so few close family members and are estranged from so many so publicly.

‘I doubt many people in Britain will be enthusiastic about the Sussexes attending – their ratings in the polls in Britain are abysmal.

‘There remains the vexed issue of Harry’s forthcoming memoir. Other royals may be careful what they say after the destructive interview on Oprah, and it could always be postponed.

‘However this is the Queen’s Jubilee, the Sussexes say they are ‘excited and honoured’ to attend – but this is the Queen’s wish and the celebrations are to mark her iconic reign. A lot that we don’t know has clearly gone on behind the scenes to achieve it.’

It may be that Harry’s most recent interview with US TV, in which he claimed he wanted to ‘protect’ the Queen and flew to Windsor in secret to check she had the right people around her, may have contributed to today’s decision.

Speaking during the Invictus Games last month, Harry insisted that he did not know if he, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet would return to the UK to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, saying there are ‘security issues and everything else’. The Duke of Sussex has taken the Home Office and the Met Police to the High Court, claiming he no longer feels safe in Britain without 24/7 armed bodyguards.

While the Queen is undoubtedly very fond of her grandson, his behaviour since emigrating, including accusing his own family of being racist towards Archie as well as the threat posed by his forthcoming memoirs – means not all members of the family may have been happy if they came.

Many in the royal household, while keen to facilitate the Queen’s wishes and put on a show of family unity to honour her 70 years on the throne, were said to have feared that the Sussexes presence could overshadow the monarch’s historic day.

On June 2, Trooping the Colour – the sovereign’s official birthday parade – will kick start the Jubilee festivities, with 18 members of the royal family set to gather on the famous frontage, with the Queen ‘looking forward’ the weekend of celebrations.

Joining the Queen on the balcony for Trooping will be the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Also set to appear for the historic occasion will be Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and the Wessexes’ children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

The head of state has made an exception for Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim, who is not a working royal, and her two youngest grandchildren Lady Louise and James, and her Cambridge great-grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis.

The Palace spokesman added: ‘In addition the Cambridge and Wessex children are also expected to appear as is Sir Tim Laurence, who the Queen is happy to attend as a frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements.’

Andrew stepped down from public duties in 2019 and just weeks ago paid millions out of court to settle a civil sexual assault case.

He was stripped of his honorary military titles and forced to no longer use his HRH style, but he played a key role in March when he escorted his mother to the Duke of Edinburgh’s thanksgiving service.

Harry and Meghan quit as senior working royals amid the Megxit saga, but there was speculation they might return to the UK to attend the Jubilee celebrations.

Andrew and the Sussexes could still make an appearance during other parts of the weekend.

A Palace source said: ‘Other family members will be invited to events. We’ve always made that clear and they are likely to be public events.’

The Palace refused to be drawn on whether there would be a second balcony appearance as a finale after the Pageant on Sunday.

A source reiterated past remarks about Harry and Meghan: ‘They are much loved members of the family and they would be invited to family events.’

With less than a month to go, the Palace released further details, including how Jubilee arrangements have been tailored for the Queen’s comfort.

There will be no ceremonial journey to the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday June 3, and the 96-year-old monarch, who is facing mobility issues, will use a different entrance rather than scaling the steep steps.

The 18th century Gold State Coach will appear on the streets of London for the first time in 20 years when it leads the Jubilee Pageant procession on Sunday June 5.

Archive film footage of Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day will be shown on the remodelled on the windows to evoke the image of the young monarch travelling the coach.

With the Queen expected to appear on the balcony for Trooping, attend the church service and the Epsom Derby, decisions on her appearances across the weekend are not likely to be confirmed until the day.

A Palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen is looking forward to the weekend and will be taking part in the celebrations but her presence will not be confirmed until much nearer the time or even on the day itself.’

It will be the first time in three years that the Windsors have appeared on the balcony since the start of the pandemic, with the last time being the Queen’s official birthday parade in 2019.

Mini versions of Trooping were staged in the confines of Windsor Castle during lockdown.

Much has changed since 10 years ago when during the Diamond Jubilee, just six members of the royal family appeared – the Queen, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate and Harry – on the Palace balcony as part of a new slimmed down monarchy – with Edward, Sophie, Anne and Andrew missing out.

What next for Prince Andrew? Now disgraced duke and his family are BANNED from the Buckingham Palace balcony… but the Queen ‘WILL make a special effort to include Beatrice and Eugenie over Jubilee weekend’

By Rory Tingle, Home Affairs Correspondent for MailOnline  

The Queen’s decision to ban Prince Andrew from the Buckingham Palace balcony during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations proves ‘there is no way back’ for the disgraced duke, royal experts said today.

Andrew, 62, may still appear at other events over the Jubilee weekend, but his mother’s decision to exclude him from one of the most quintessential moments of any major royal event represents a powerful symbolic snub. 

The balcony appearance during the RAF flypast is a traditional staple of Trooping the Colour in particular – which this year will serve as the spectacular start to a long weekend to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

‘Andrew must surely realise that there is absolutely no way back for him,’ Royal author Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline.

‘This clarifies matters, and it was essential to do so as his involvement in any event is so damaging for the reputation of the Royal Family.’

Biographer Tom Bower was equally emphatic, saying Andrew had been ‘ordered to disappear’.

Only senior royals will be allowed to appear on the balcony on the Queen’s official birthday, meaning Prince Andrew’s daughters Beatrice and Eugenie will not be invited.

However, the Queen is understood to be making a special effort to include the princesses in every other aspect of the celebrations, Daily Mail Royal editor Rebecca English reports.

Meghan and Harry will also be barred, it emerged today. Today, they promised to be in Britain with their children for the Jubilee next month – in a bombshell announcement made just minutes after the palace’s own statement. 

Today’s news is yet another public humiliation for Andrew. 

A slew of authorities, institutions, schools and even golf clubs have all sought to distance themselves from the duke since he settled his civil case with Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre for £12million, despite denying any wrongdoing.

The Queen’s decision to publicly exclude him from a crucial family moment is likely to be particularly hurtful, not least due to his fondness for appearing at his mother’s side at public events and his determination, according to friends, to return to public life.

He prompted outrage in March when he insisted on accompanying the Queen from Windsor Castle to a Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip – pointedly walking her down the aisle at Westminster Abbey to her seat.

Andrew sparked yet more controversy days by issuing a now-deleted 700-word statement about the Falklands War that was signed off as ‘HRH’, despite Buckingham Palace saying he would no longer use the title.

Richard Fitzwilliams said it was important for the Queen to visibly demonstrate Andrew was no longer considered a visible part of royal life.

‘There has been endless speculation as to which members of the Royal Family will appear on Buckingham Palace’s iconic Balcony after Trooping the Colour this year,’ he said. 

‘Balcony appearances are a tradition that date back to Queen Victoria and one that commands worldwide attention.

‘The Queen has now clarified this, which will put an end to the endless rumours which have been swirling around regarding the possible appearance of the Sussexes and of Andrew.

‘He is in disgrace and should most emphatically not appear. It is extremely important that this has been clarified.’

Andrew stepped down from public duties in 2019 and just weeks ago paid millions out of court to settle a civil sexual assault case.

He was stripped of his honorary military titles and forced to no longer use his HRH style and – in the latest ignobility – was recently deprived of his Freedom of the City honour by councillors in York, who branded him ‘an utter disgrace’. 

It sparked fresh calls for Andrew to also lose his Duke of York title, but the Queen is understood to be reluctant to concede to these demands.

Today, the palace made it clear Andrew and other family members will still be invited to events over the Jubilee weekend.

‘We’ve always made that clear and they are likely to be public events,’ a source said.

But while this minor concession may spare Andrew at least some blushes, it will do little to persuade anyone that the duke’s campaign to rebuild his shattered reputation has even the most minor hope of succeeding. 

Casualties of the Queen’s balcony cull: Ban on Harry, Meghan and Andrew leaves more than THIRTY relatives out in the cold – including her beloved grandchildren Zara Tindall, Beatrice and Eugenie and their families

The Queen’s balcony ban for Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Prince Andrew has left more than 30 royals out in the cold at the Platinum Jubilee, after the announcement that only working royals will make the cut.

The balcony appearance, which is often seen as the centrepiece of major royal occasions, including Trooping the Colour and weddings, usually sees the Queen’s extended family gather to watch a flypast and is a rare chance for fans to see the entire extended family together.

Following his ejection from public life, after settling a civil court case in America over allegations of sexual abuse against Virginia Giuffre (which he vehemently denies), it was inconceivable that Prince Andrew would be given a spot, and despite earlier claims that the Queen offered Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a space on the platform, they too have been left off the list. 

However, in paring the list down to just 16 people to avoid potential diplomatic pitfalls, the Queen has been forced to omit a number of well-liked family members including her much-loved grandchildren and their families. 

Her cousins, including Prince Michael of Kent, and their families, with whom the Queen enjoys a warm relationship are also out in the cold, with a total of at least 34 royals absent from the balcony. 

The final balcony lineup will boast the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children; the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children; the Princess Royal and Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence; the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; the Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra.

Their father’s absence means that Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice will not appear with their husbands and children. 

Their cousin Peter Philip’s would typically appear with his now ex-wife Autumn and their two daughters, and so the York sisters would reasonably have been expected to be joined by Eugenie’s husband Jack Brooksbank and Beatrice’s husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi – not to mention the sisters’ children Sienna and August, if they felt they weren’t too young. 

Similarly the Queen’s other adult grandchildren, Peter Philips and Zara Tindall have been excluded with their families, even though their mother Princess Anne and stepfather Sir Timothy Laurence will join the Queen.  

In a formal statement about the decision, Buckingham Palace said: ‘After careful consideration, The Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance on Thursday 2nd June will be limited to Her Majesty and those Members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of The Queen.’ 

The announcement follows reports that her Majesty herself may not appear on the balcony, due to the 96-year-old’s limited mobility.

It is believed that aides are working on a ‘plan B’, with an insider saying: ‘It could still happen but it is by no means guaranteed that we will see the Queen on the balcony during the Jubilee.’ 

While recent balcony appearances have been more focused on senior members of the Firm, normally, there are no restrictions on which of the family will be present for Trooping of the Colour. 

Britain’s big party for the Queen: From Trooping the Colour, to a fly past and the first appearance of the Gold State Coach in 20 years…Palace reveals more details ahead of Platinum Jubilee Weekend

Celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend will kick off with Trooping the Colour watched by the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony, it was announced today. 

Her Majesty has limited the balcony appearance on Thursday, June 2, to working members of her family, with the Duke of York and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex omitted from the royal line up.

To coincide with the appearance of the Royals on the balcony, there will be an impressive RAF flypast, followed by the lighting of beacons in more than 2,000 towns, villages and cities across the UK. 

The main beacon lighting will take place at Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening. 

The Palace refused to be drawn on whether there would be a second balcony appearance as a finale after the Pageant on Sunday.

A source reiterated past remarks about Harry and Meghan: ‘They are much loved members of the family and they would be invited to family events.’

With less than a month to go, the Palace released further details, including how Jubilee arrangements have been tailored for the Queen’s comfort.

There will be no ceremonial journey to the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday June 3, and the 96-year-old monarch, who is facing mobility issues, will use a different entrance rather than scaling the steep steps.

The 18th century Gold State Coach will appear on the streets of London for the first time in 20 years when it leads the Jubilee Pageant procession on Sunday June 5. 

Whilst the Queen is expected to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour, attend the church service and the Epsom Derby, decisions on her appearances across the weekend are not likely to be confirmed until the day.

A Palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen is looking forward to the weekend and will be taking part in the celebrations but her presence will not be confirmed until much nearer the time or even on the day itself.’

It will be the first time in three years that the Windsors have appeared on the balcony since the start of the pandemic, with the last time being the Queen’s official birthday parade in 2019.

Mini versions of Trooping were staged in the confines of Windsor Castle during lockdown.

Much has changed since 10 years ago when during the Diamond Jubilee, just six members of the royal family appeared – the Queen, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate and Harry – on the Palace balcony as part of a new slimmed down monarchy – with Edward, Sophie, Anne and Andrew missing out. 

Thursday June 2, 2022: Trooping the Colour 

More than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together in the traditional Parade to mark The Queen’s official birthday, usually held on the second Saturday in June.

Beginning at Buckingham Palace, the procession will move down The Mall to Horse Guards’ Parade, joined by members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. 

Trooping the Colour will close with the traditional RAF fly-past, watched by the Queen and the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Crucially – as revealed today – the balcony appearance is limited to working members of her family, with the Duke of York and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex omitted from the royal line up.

Joining the Queen on the balcony for Trooping will be the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Also set to appear for the historic occasion will be Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and the Wessexes’ children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

The head of state has made an exception for Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim, who is not a working royal, and her two youngest grandchildren Lady Louise and James, and her Cambridge great-grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis.   

The Palace spokesman added: ‘In addition the Cambridge and Wessex children are also expected to appear as is Sir Tim Laurence, who the Queen is happy to attend as a frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements.’ 

The symbolic move is likely to be interpreted as a snub to Harry and Meghan, who quit the monarchy for a new life in the US two years ago, and to Andrew, who was cast out of the institution over his civil sexual assault case. 

Andrew stepped down from public duties in 2019 and just weeks ago paid millions out of court to settle a civil sexual assault case.

He was stripped of his honorary military titles and forced to no longer use his HRH style, but he played a key role in March when he escorted his mother to the Duke of Edinburgh’s thanksgiving service.

Harry and Meghan quit as senior working royals amid the Megxit saga, but there was speculation they might return to the UK to attend the Jubilee celebrations.

Andrew and the Sussexes could still make an appearance during other parts of the weekend.

A Palace source said: ‘Other family members will be invited to events. We’ve always made that clear and they are likely to be public events.’

Platinum Jubilee Beacons 

The United Kingdom’s long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons will be continued to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.

For the first time, beacons will also be lit in each of the capital cities of the Commonwealth countries to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Friday June 3, 2022: Service of Thanksgiving

A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral. The service will include readings from the Bible, along with prayers and hymns that will be sung by both the choir and congregation. 

During the service, the church’s bell, named Great Paul, will be rung. It was made in 1882 but fell silent in the 1970s due to a broken mechanism. 

It was restored in 2021 and has been rung on eight occasions since then. However, this is the first royal occasion for which it has been rung. 

The service will start at 11.30am and Great Paul will be rung between 10.50am and 10.55am, followed by a peal of bells. After the service, a reception will be held at the Guildhall  

Saturday June 4, 2022: The Derby at Epsom Downs, followed by Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace

The Derby at Epsom Downs

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by Members of the Royal Family, will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs.

Platinum Party at the Palace

The BBC will stage and broadcast a special live concert from Buckingham Palace that will bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from The Queen’s seven decade reign. 

Members of the public will be invited to apply to attend this special event and details of the ballot for UK residents to secure audience tickets will be released in due course.

Sunday June 5, 2022: The Big Jubilee Lunch

The Big Jubilee Lunch 

Every year since the idea began in 2009 The Big Lunch has encouraged communities to celebrate their connections and get to know each other a little bit better, coming together in a spirit of fun and friendship. 

In 2022 The Big Lunch will bring the Jubilee celebrations into the heart of every community.

People are invited to share friendship, food and fun with neighbours as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

A Big Jubilee Lunch can be big or small – street party or picnic, tea and cake or a garden barbeque. The Big Lunch provides tips and ideas for hosting an event.

The Platinum Jubilee Pageant

A pageant featuring over 5,000 people from across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth will take place against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the surrounding streets.

It will combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume and celebrate the service of Her Majesty’s reign, as well as honouring the collective service of people and communities across the country.

The bells of Westmiminster Abbey will chime to mark the start of the pageant, as they did on the day of the Queen’s Coronation. 

As they do so, the Mounted Band of the Queen’s Household Cavalry will lead the Gold State Coach along a crowd-thronged route back to Buckingham Palace. 

The coach will be appearing on the streets of London for the first time in 20 years.  

Archive film footage of Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day will be shown on the remodelled on the windows to evoke the image of the young monarch travelling in the coach on the day of her Coronation. 

More than 10,000 people will be involved, including the military and more than 6,000 volunteers, performers, key workers and 2,500 members of the public. 

Well-known celebrities from music, film, sport and the arts will also take part in the Pageant, whilst the Armed Forces will take a key role. 

Overall, around 1,800 servicemen and women will be there to represent the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force. 

The ULTIMATE Platinum party guide: How and where to toast the Queen’s 70-year reign… from the Red Arrows at RAF Cosford to jousting at Hampton Court Palace and Sir Elton John at the Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace

• Celebratory events will also include Superbloom at Tower of London and special concerts all over the UK 
• Smaller events such as a 70km ‘ultra challenge’ in Portsmouth are also taking place to mark the Jubilee
• MailOnline has compiled the ultimate party guide to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee over specialbank holiday

By Jamie Phillips for MailOnline 

Huge events are taking place across the country to celebrate the Queen‘s 70-year reign.

Celebratory occasions will include the Red Arrows performing overhead at RAF Cosford, to jousting at Hampton Court Palace and Sir Elton John among guests at a special concert at Buckingham Palace. 

Meanwhile, a 70-kilometre ‘ultra challenge’ is taking place for runners wanting to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in a unique way and a 70-mile classic car run in Cornwall, featuring a car from every year of the Queen’s reign, is also pencilled in among a wide variety of events.

Below, MailOnline has compiled the ultimate party guide to celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over the special extra bank holiday.

Singalong at the Tower 

Date: April 28

Time: 7pm 

Location: The Tower of London 

The Tower of London will host a special concert with ‘a programme of rousing and expressive choral music’ featuring the Choir of the Chapels Royal.

Music inside the St Peter and Vincula chapel will reflect on the ‘themes of coronation and queenhood’.

Ticket price: £25 via the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) website.

The National Lottery’s Big Jubilee Street Party

Date: May 12

Time: 6pm

Location: AO Arena, Manchester

The event, hosted by Jason Manford and Fleur East, will feature performances from the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs, Tom Grennan, Steps and Ella Henderson among others.

Tickets are now sold out for the event, but ITV and ITV Hub will be airing a special one-off show on a date to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Tickets: Sold out

TV: ITV and ITV Hub, 

Superbloom 

Date: June 1 to September 18

Location: Tower of London

Superbloom at the Tower of London will see more than 20 millions seeds sewn to create a ‘spectacular, colourful, vibrant field of flowers that will fill the Tower’s moat’.

Designed to attract pollinators, ‘Superbloom’ aims to ‘bring spectacular natural beauty’ to the urban space.

Visitors will be able to slide down the moat on a mat, while a specially commissioned sound installation and sculptural elements will also form part of the attraction.

Tickets: From £12 for adults via the HRP website.

Jubilee Joust at Hampton Court Palace

Date: June 1 – June 5

Times: 11am, 1.30pm and 4pm 

Location: Hampton Court Palace

Experience the historic sport of jousting in the gardens of the iconic Hampton Court Palace.

A special family-friendly tournament will take place over five days that will see knights compete to be hailed champion, with spectators able to cheer, jeer and follow the fun from the sidelines.

Tickets: Free for members, from £26.10 for adults via the HRP website.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert

Location: Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Date: June 2

Time: 7.30pm

A special concert is to take place at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee that will include a selection of works from throughout her reign.

Titles for the evening include music from the coronation, works dedicated to The Queen and HRH The Princess Margaret, music from across the Commonwealth, personal favourites of Her majesty (My Fair Lady) and even bagpipes.

Tickets: £13-£55 via the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra website.

Ride a purple steam train

Date: June 2 – June 5 

Timetable: TBC 

Location: Taw Valley

Severn Valley Railway has renamed its 34027 Taw Valley engine Elizabeth II to mark her jubilee – as well as painting it purple.  

Across the jubilee weekend, rock bands from the 1950s will play classic hits at multiple stations, while the Battle of Britain Memorial Flypast with a Lancaster will also take place on all four days. 

Tickets: From £32.40 on the Severn Valley Railway website.

St Paul’s Cathedral Service of Thanksgiving

Date: June 3

Time: TBC

Location: St Paul’s Cathedral, London

A service of thanksgiving will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign. Little information is available at present, but it is understood the service will not be open to the public.

Tickets: Closed to the public.

Jubilee Concert at Windsor Castle

Date: June 3

Time: TBC

Location: St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle

Take the chance to enjoy musical entertainment at Windsor Castle’s famed St George’s Chapel.

The concert will feature ‘special performances’ with the benefit of ‘amazing chapel acoustics’ and will be hosted by BBC Radio Three’s Petroc Trelawney. 

Tickets: Tickets and further details for the Concert will be available in due course.

Platinum Party at the Palace 

Date: June 4 

Time: TBC

Location: Buckingham Palace

A special concert will take place in front of the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

MailOnline reported last year that Sir Elton John, Ed Sheeran and Stevie Wonder were being lined up to perform at the concert, set to be the ‘biggest celebration’ of the year in the UK.  

It is hoped to be similar to the Diamond Jubilee concert organised by Gary Barlow in 2012, which saw the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Tom Jones, Robbie Williams, as well as Kylie Minogue, Madness, and Annie Lennox take to the stage. 

A ballot for tickets has now closed, but up to 10,000 people will attend and the show will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Tickets: Ballot closed

TV: BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Epsom Derby 

Date: June 4

Location: Epsom Downs Racecourse

Time: 4.30pm

Prior to the huge Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace, the Queen will have an eye on the Epsom Derby.

The Cazoo Derby, one of the most prominent races in the calendar, has been taking place since 1780 and this year will feature an official commemoration of the Queen.

Her Majesty, an avid horse racing fan, has only missed the Derby four times in 75 years.

Tickets: From £30 on the Jockey Club website.

TV: ITV

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee ‘Proms in the Park’ concert 

Date: June 4  

Time: 1pm

Location: Wherstead Park, Ipswich

A ‘Best of British’ Proms concert will feature Christina Johnson and a live music ensemble.

Rousing classics such as Land of Hope and Glory, Abide with Me, Nimrod, God Save the Queen, Jerusalem, You’ll Never Walk Alone will be played along with hits from the West End. 

Tickets: From £5 on the Wherstead Park website.  

Jubilee Picnic in the Park

Date: June 4

Time: All day

Location: The Long Walk, Windsor 

Windsor’s iconic Long Walk will host a huge picnic event with a ‘carnival atmosphere’ featuring ‘cars, music and sport from across the decades of Her Majesty’s reign’.

The Platinum Party at the Palace will also be shown on giant screens for all to enjoy with their food.

Tickets: Free entry

Picnic in the Park afternoon tea at Sandringham

Date: June 4 and June 5

Time: 12pm-5pm

Location: Sandringham Estate, Norfolk

Where better to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee than at her much loved country retreat at Sandringham?

Visitors can enjoy a ‘delicately packaged’ afternoon tea in a ‘commemorative Platinum Jubilee design’ in the estate’s Parkland.

Tickets: From £35 on the Sandringham Estate website. 

Windsor Big Lunch

Date: June 5  

Time: All day

Location: The Long Walk, Windsor

The day after its Picnic in the Park event, Windsor will host its annual Big Lunch.

Friends and families will again be encouraged to bring picnics and union jack flags, while giant screens will show the Platinum Pageant.

Tickets: Arrangements are currently being put in place for a facility to reserve tables free of charge via a ticketing system, with details available soon.

Platinum Jubilee Pageant

Date: June 5

Time: TBC

Location: Buckingham Palace 

The Pageant will combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume to celebrate the Queen’s ‘love of the natural world and dedication to the Commonwealth’.

A procession will take place along The Mall, emulating a moving river,  while vintage cars and motorbikes will also feature.

The event is split into four parts, the first of which will contain more than 2,000 military personnel, followed by vintage clothes and classic cars, an artistic element and then a ‘surprise package’. 

Tickets: Open to the public, no booking required. 

Bodmin to Penzance classic car run

Date: June 5 

Time: TBC

Location: Bodmin

Seventy cars from 70 years will travel 70 miles through Cornwall from Bodmin to Penzance to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Bodmin, the event’s oldest vehicle will be a 1952 MG TD.

Tickets: £25 entry 

Portsmouth Platinum Jubilee 70k Ultra Challenge

Date: June 5

Time:  8.40am-5pm

Location: Ferry Road, Portsmouth

The ultra challenge will see competitors given the choice between running the full 70k, or spreading the distance across a kayak, run and cycle.

There will be medals for all who complete the event, while there is the option to run a shorter distance if desired.

Tickets: Open to the public

RAF Cosford Airshow

Date: June 12

Time: Gates open at 8am

Location: RAF Cosford, Shropshire

The RAF Cosford Airshow will tell the 70-year-old story of aviation and its links to royalty through themed displays, while visitors can also enjoy a hands-on experience through immersive story-telling.

Air Show Chairman, Wing Commander Kenny Wickens, said earlier this year: ‘We are delighted to announce the return of the RAF Cosford Air Show after two difficult years. 

‘A huge amount of work has been done in the early stages of planning this event to ensure we can provide a safe and enjoyable show for all of our visitors and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to RAF Cosford for a day of celebration and entertainment.’

Tickets: Adults from £34, under 16s go free. Available to buy on the Cosford Airshow website. 

Red Hot Chilli Peppers and motorcycle display at the Platinum Jubilee Youth Spectacular

Date: June 18 and 19

Time: TBC

Location: St Ninians, Fife, Scotland

TV presenter Stephen Mulhern will host an event at the newly constructed arena that will feature a motorcycle display along with Scouts, Guides and Highland dancing.

It will culminate with an after event performance from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Tickets: Open to the public, but advance booking required.

‘There’s no way back for Andrew’: Prince is now out in the cold after he and his family are BANNED from Buckingham Palace balcony… but the Queen ‘WILL make a special effort to include Beatrice and Eugenie over Jubilee weekend’

The Queen’s decision to ban Prince Andrew from the Buckingham Palace balcony during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations proves ‘there is no way back’ for the disgraced duke, royal experts said today.

Andrew, 62, may still appear at other events over the Jubilee weekend, but his mother’s decision to exclude him from one of the most quintessential moments of any major royal event represents a powerful symbolic snub. 

The balcony appearance during the RAF flypast is a traditional staple of Trooping the Colour in particular – which this year will serve as the spectacular start to a long weekend to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

‘Andrew must surely realise that there is absolutely no way back for him,’ Royal author Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline.

‘This clarifies matters, and it was essential to do so as his involvement in any event is so damaging for the reputation of the Royal Family.’

Biographer Tom Bower was equally emphatic, saying Andrew had been ‘ordered to disappear’.

Only senior royals will be allowed to appear on the balcony on the Queen’s official birthday, meaning Prince Andrew’s daughters Beatrice and Eugenie will not be invited.

However, the Queen is understood to be making a special effort to include the princesses in every other aspect of the celebrations, Daily Mail Royal editor Rebecca English reports.

Meghan and Harry will also be barred, it emerged today. Today, they promised to be in Britain with their children for the Jubilee next month – in a bombshell announcement made just minutes after the palace’s own statement. 

Today’s news is yet another public humiliation for Andrew. 

A slew of authorities, institutions, schools and even golf clubs have all sought to distance themselves from the duke since he settled his civil case with Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre for £12million, despite denying any wrongdoing.

The Queen’s decision to publicly exclude him from a crucial family moment is likely to be particularly hurtful, not least due to his fondness for appearing at his mother’s side at public events and his determination, according to friends, to return to public life.

He prompted outrage in March when he insisted on accompanying the Queen from Windsor Castle to a Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip – pointedly walking her down the aisle at Westminster Abbey to her seat.

Andrew sparked yet more controversy days by issuing a now-deleted 700-word statement about the Falklands War that was signed off as ‘HRH’, despite Buckingham Palace saying he would no longer use the title.

Richard Fitzwilliams said it was important for the Queen to visibly demonstrate Andrew was no longer considered a visible part of royal life.

‘There has been endless speculation as to which members of the Royal Family will appear on Buckingham Palace’s iconic Balcony after Trooping the Colour this year,’ he said. 

‘Balcony appearances are a tradition that date back to Queen Victoria and one that commands worldwide attention.

‘The Queen has now clarified this, which will put an end to the endless rumours which have been swirling around regarding the possible appearance of the Sussexes and of Andrew.

‘He is in disgrace and should most emphatically not appear. It is extremely important that this has been clarified.’

Andrew stepped down from public duties in 2019 and just weeks ago paid millions out of court to settle a civil sexual assault case.

He was stripped of his honorary military titles and forced to no longer use his HRH style and – in the latest ignobility – was recently deprived of his Freedom of the City honour by councillors in York, who branded him ‘an utter disgrace’. 

It sparked fresh calls for Andrew to also lose his Duke of York title, but the Queen is understood to be reluctant to concede to these demands.

Today, the palace made it clear Andrew and other family members will still be invited to events over the Jubilee weekend.

‘We’ve always made that clear and they are likely to be public events,’ a source said.

But while this minor concession may spare Andrew at least some blushes, it will do little to persuade anyone that the duke’s campaign to rebuild his shattered reputation has even the most minor hope of succeeding.