Queen Adjusts Schedule to Celebrate Great-Granddaughter’s Birthday

The Queen has cleared her busy schedule for the Jubilee weekend to mark a special occasion – the first birthday of her great-granddaughter, Lilibet.

Her Majesty, aged 96, is expected to miss the Epsom Derby, one of her favorite sporting events, on June 4.

This date coincides with the birthday of Prince Harry and Meghan's daughter, Lilibet, and the royal family plans to gather for the Queen's platinum Jubilee weekend.

In light of this, the Queen has made arrangements to ensure she can spend time with her family.

Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan will be hosting Lilibet's birthday celebration at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, where the Queen will join them.

The couple, accompanied by their children Archie and Lilibet, intend to spend the four-day Jubilee weekend at the residence.

As the platinum Jubilee festivities unfold, concerns arise over the Queen's health, given her recent struggles with mobility issues and reliance on a walking stick for movement.

Consequently, efforts are being made to limit the Queen's engagements in the upcoming week.

Sources close to the Queen have indicated that her attendance at the Epsom Derby is increasingly unlikely, especially after all three of her horses withdrew from the race.

While she plans to skip Thursday's Trooping the Colour official salute, the Queen will make appearances on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to witness the flypast and receive salutes from returning guardsmen.

Additionally, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew, 62, are scheduled to attend Friday's Thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral, with hopes of the Queen joining them.

Historically, the Queen has rarely missed the Epsom Derby, having only been absent twice – during a state visit to Sweden in 1956 and on the 48th anniversary of D-Day in France in 1984.

Her initial meeting with Archie, the son of Harry and Meghan, took place at Windsor Castle in May 2019, and the two-year-old is set to participate in the Jubilee celebrations.

Palace aides express concerns about potential disruptions from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the weekend, emphasizing the need for discretion.

Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield warned of possible leaks in the aftermath of the Jubilee celebrations, highlighting the Queen's anticipation of reuniting with Lilibet and Archie while expressing apprehension about any ensuing drama involving Harry and Meghan.

The couple has assured the Queen of their intention to maintain a low profile during the Jubilee events and limit their involvement to official engagements, avoiding unscheduled visits that could overshadow the Queen's festivities.

Renowned royal historian Hugo Vickers endorsed this cautious approach, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the Queen during the celebrations to minimize distractions.

Amid uncertainties surrounding the unofficial plans of Harry and Meghan, concerns loom within palace circles, particularly regarding the potential presence of a Netflix film crew without official accreditation.

As the momentous Jubilee approaches, insider Camilla Tominey sheds light on the challenges posed by the Sussexes' return to the royal fold, underscoring the underlying tensions within the palace walls.