We likely won’t see another event like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – honouring Lizzie’s 70-year reign – in our lifetimes. But if you’re hoping to see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrating with the monarch this June, you may be disappointed. It’s confirmed by multiple palace insiders that the pair will be “keeping a low profile” at the extravaganza, and sources tell heat that, behind the scenes, Meghan is preparing herself for a difficult time – and has even warned Harry that she’ll leave the event if anyone crosses her.
“Meghan has told Harry he has to put her first and take no nonsense on the trip,” says an insider close to the former Suits star, who was last week pictured cheering on her husband as he played in a polo tournament near their California home.
“She’s fully aware that they’ll be walking into the lion’s den when they arrive in the UK. She knows how important it is to Harry that she’s there at his side, but coming face-to-face with certain members of The Firm – who she claimed made their lives a misery – is a horrible prospect. She will not tolerate any eye-rolling, snide put-downs or mean-spirited behaviour towards her or Harry. She wants to know, if it came to it, that Harry’s prepared to step up and be that same protective partner he was during their time in England. She wants him to promise he’ll pack up and leave if they’re disrespected.”
The Queen shocked the public when she declared the controversial couple wouldn’t be joining her for the Trooping the Colour ceremony on 2 June. There are 18 royals set to appear on the Palace balcony for it – Charles and Camilla; William and Kate with their children, George, Charlotte and Louis; Edward and Sophie and their offspring, Louise and James; Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence; the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; and the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.
Which makes Harry, 37, and Meghan’s absence – along with disgraced Prince Andrew – very loud omissions in the line-up. Last week, friend and biographer of the Duke and Duchess, Omid Scobie, tried to play down the snub, saying, “Prince Harry had already spoken with his grandmother about the possibility of not attending Trooping the Colour”.
But insiders say Meghan’s worried it’s the first of many slights to come. “Harry has been assured by his family that everyone’s looking forward to a harmonious get-together,” says heat’s source. “He’s tried to reassure Meghan that no one will start anything, and they can hopefully begin the healing process by honouring Her Majesty’s celebration together, without any fighting. But she can’t believe they won’t be walking on eggshells the entire time.”
As heat reported last week, the Sussexes’ Netflix film crew have been banned from the celebrations. The couple are said to be filming a reality-style show as part of their $100m deal with the streaming giant, with cameras following them around and even filming inside their Montecito mansion – and the royal family have apparently made it clear the film crew are not welcome at official Jubilee events.
But despite the potential awkwardness, Meghan, 40, has told friends she has a point to prove by attending. We’re told, “She’s determined not be intimidated into boycotting an event that means so much to her husband.
“She feels that she and Harry need the world to see how united they are. It’s a perfect opportunity to show everyone – especially the royals – that they’re happy and proud of the life they’ve created in the US.
“Of course, Harry wants this trip to be drama-free, but he’s also prepared to stand his ground and handle whatever needs handling. He won’t accept anyone upsetting Meghan or being rude. If it comes to it and she wants to leave the celebrations for any reason at all, Harry would be by her side.”