Harry’s big decision
Will the Sussexes join the Queen on the balcony for the Platinum Jubilee?
Following the happy news Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex travelled to the UK for a meeting with the Queen and Prince Charles before Easter, The Royal List hoped this was the first step in Harry repairing his relationship with his family.
But he hit the headlines once again this week, when he gave an interview on Wednesday, to the US Today Show, during his successful Invictus Games in the Hague.
Harry told Hoda Kotb he is “trying to make the world a better place for my kids. That’s the responsibility I feel as a parent” and admitted it can be hard working from home with young children. Archie, who turns three on May 6, is as cheeky as his dad. “Archie spends more time interrupting our Zoom calls than anyone else,” he said.
As to his meeting with the Queen, he said, “It was nice, it was really great to see her – to be able to see her in some element of privacy was nice.” He said she was on great form, “she’s always got a great sense of humour with me. We have a special relationship, we talk about things she can’t talk about with anyone else.”
He then added, “I’m making sure she’s protected and has got the right people around her,” which particularly riled the British press who fired off a flurry of reports about what he meant.
After declaring home for him “is in the States and it feels that way as well,” Harry said he wasn’t sure if he would come to the Jubilee. “I don’t know yet,” he said, shaking his head. “There’s lots of things, security issues and everything else. So, this is what I am trying to do, trying to make it possible that I can get my kids to meet her.”
Harry is currently in a legal battle over the government’s decision to take away his funded security, but according to The Mirror, his team is making plans for the family to return for the Jubilee celebrations in June and expectations are still fairly high that he will make it.
For what it’s worth, we at The Royal List hope the Sussexes do make it.
Lovely Louis prepares for new school
Many happy returns to lovely Prince Louis, who turned four yesterday, April 23. To celebrate, his parents released some gorgeous new photographs of him on the beach in Norfolk. The spitting image of his dad, Prince William, Louis looks like he’s going to bowl through life, if these pictures are anything to go by.
His first challenge will be starting school in September, and according to the Daily Mail, that’s going to be at a new school in Berkshire. The family is looking to move to Windsor or nearby and put all three children into the same school.
Caribbean charm tour take two
All eyes are on Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex this week as they undertake the second tour of the Caribbean for the Platinum Jubilee.
Following Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s much-maligned recent tour of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas, which saw allegations of colonialism levelled at them, it’s fair to say Team Wessex must have had some serious brainstorms before they got on the plane. So much so that they cancelled their visit to Grenada, after taking advice from the government.
They kicked off the trip in St Lucia, where they were welcomed by the Honourable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister and His Excellency Mr Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, Acting Governor General.
They will also visit St Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda, on what is expected to be a much more low-key and relaxed tour, which according to the Palace, will be “in celebration of the culture, future and vibrancy of the islands”.
Interestingly, Princess Anne’s recent visit to Papua New Guinea before Easter received no comment, whatsoever.
Queen celebrates birthday in Philip’s beloved home
Her Majesty headed to Wood Farm on her Sandringham Estate to celebrate her 96th birthday on Thursday at the place where she shared many memories with Prince Philip during their 73 years of married life. Given her ongoing mobility issues, her decision to leave Windsor Castle for Norfolk and the modest five-bedroom home where Philip spent most of his retirement, is poignant.
Philip loved Wood Farm, especially the fact that “the sea was so close”, the Queen has said. She commented on the property when she hosted an event at Sandringham in February. Its retired housekeeper Teresa Thompson said at the time, “All the Royal Family love Wood Farm, because it’s out of the way, it’s small, it’s intimate. You haven’t got lots of officials and household, it’s just the close staff.”
The Queen is believed to have spent her birthday quietly and was seen wearing sunglasses and headscarf as she went for a drive around the estate with her dogs and dresser and confidante, Angela Kelly. Family members are also expected to visit.
And gets her own Barbie doll
They’re both icons and now, in honour of the Platinum Jubilee, the Queen has been immortalised as a Barbie doll. Released on Her Majesty’s birthday in a genius move by Mattel, we’re wondering a) if they posted a Queen Elizabeth II Barbie to Sandringham as a present and b) why it looks more like Dame Helen Mirren?
Questions aside, this limited-edition doll has some nice touches, such as the Queen Mary Fringe Tiara (which she wore on her wedding day), and the Garland Ribbon bearing Royal Family Orders which are gifted by the ruling monarch - the blue silk ribbon is from George V, and pink from George VI.
Queen Barbie is the second release from the Tribute Collection, launched last year with a Lucille Ball doll as a celebration of “visionary individuals with an outstanding impact and legacy within society”. The doll will be available from John Lewis, Selfridges, Harrods, Hamley’s and Amazon.