Eth day for a great-granddaughter of the Queen: In the midst of the anniversary celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II, Lilibet, daughter of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, celebrated her first birthday. One of the youngest members of the extended family received congratulations via the official Twitter accounts of the royal family, heir to the throne Prince Charles and Prince William. As reported by the media, the 96-year-old monarch wanted to personally welcome Lilibet and her family on Saturday.
On the third day of the extensive festivities, the Queen left the official appearances to the family members. Daughter Princess Anne represented her mother in the traditional Epsom Derby horse race, south west of London. A successful eventer herself, 71-year-old Anne was greeted with cheers and British flags at Epsom Downs with her second husband Tim Laurence. 40 jockeys who had previously ridden for the Queen – herself an enthusiastic horse owner and breeder – formed the honor guard.
Princess Anne at the Epsom Derby horse race.
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Image: EPA
While the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, was traveling to Northern Ireland with his wife, Countess Sophie, grandson Prince William and his wife, Duchess Kate, were visiting Wales with their two older children, Prince George, eight, and Princess Charlotte, seven. In the capital, Cardiff, they saw a jubilee concert on behalf of the Queen. In the evening, William, like his father Prince Charles, was expected to attend a mega party at Buckingham Palace in London.
There the two future kings wanted to pay tribute to the queen in speeches to the expected 22,000 visitors. Among others, the American singers Alicia Keys and Diana Ross as well as the British bands Duran Duran and Queen should appear. Celebrities such as footballer David Beckham and actress Julie Andrews were also announced. It was considered extremely unlikely that the Queen would be present.
At the end of the celebrations, a “street pageant”, a kind of street carnival, is planned in London on Sunday. Across the country, numerous people also want to gather together for lunch – known as “Jubilee Lunch”.
Visit from the United States
Grandson Prince Harry (37) came from the United States to celebrate with his wife Duchess Meghan (40), son Archie (3) and Lilibet. It is the family’s first visit together to Harry’s old home. The couple’s relationship with Harry’s father Charles and brother William is considered to be heavily burdened because of serious allegations by Harry and Meghan against the palace.
The visit was the Queen’s first opportunity to meet in person her second youngest great-granddaughter, Lilibet, who was born in the United States. The eighth in line to the British throne is named after her famous ancestor – King George V, grandfather of the monarch, is said to have named little Elisabeth that. It has been her family nickname ever since. According to information from the newspaper “Sun”, the meeting on Saturday was not the first time that the queen saw the child in person. This had already happened on one of the previous days.
Duchess Meghan, Prince Harry and Zara Tindall after the service at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
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Image: dpa
Harry and Meghan’s attendance at the Queen’s 70th jubilee had raised hopes that tensions within the royal family could be eased. However, initial impressions reported by the British media did not point to a relaxation. Harry chatted with his cousins Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall. William and he avoided each other, it said.