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As it happenedended

Royal family news – live: Sussexes release photograph of daughter Lilibet after arriving in US

Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter turns one during her first trip to the UK

Queen makes balcony appearance to mark end of platinum jubilee

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released a picture of their daughter Lilibet after celebrating her first birthday.

The photograph of Lilibet, who celebrated the occasion with family and close friends of the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor on Saturday, is understood to have been taken by family friend Misan Harriman.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s second child, born on 4 June 2021 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.

The couple have been “incredibly touched” by the birthday wishes that have flooded in for Lilibet.

More than 100,000 dollars (£79,800) in donations to the World Central Kitchen were made in her honour by people around the world, for which the Duke and Duchess have also expressed their gratitude.

It follows reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had returned to the US following a short trip to the UK for the jubilee celebrations.

The early departure means the Sussexes missed the finale of the festivities, which saw the Queen make a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the royal standard flag was raised above the residence during the pageant.

Which platinum jubilee events will Harry and Meghan attend?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed they will be visiting the UK for the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations next month, along with their two children, Archie, 3, and baby daughter Lilibet.

It will mark the first time the Sussexes have returned to the UK with their children since they stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2020.

Saman Javed has all the answers to your questions about which events they will be attending:

Queen’s platinum jubilee: Which events will Harry and Meghan attend?

The couple have confirmed they will return to the UK for the celebrations

Kate Ng24 May 2022 14:00

How is the Queen celebrating her platinum jubilee and who will join?

On Thursday 2 June, the Queen will celebrate her “official” birthday with a military parade. The annual celebration, known as Trooping the Colour, is held on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace.

The event will also include an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace from members of the royal family.

Saman Javed has everything you need to know about this year’s Trooping the Colour:

Trooping the Colour 2022: How is the Queen celebrating and who will join?

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the celebrations

Kate Ng24 May 2022 15:00

The best films and TV series about Queen Elizabeth II to watch on Netflix

From Oscar-winning biopics to TV documentaries, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to depictions of HRH on screen.

Our Culture Reporter Louis Chilton has listed a handful of the best – and a couple of less conventional picks for any republicans out there looking for some alternative Jubilee messaging.

Kate Ng24 May 2022 16:00

How old was Her Majesty when she became the Queen?

The platinum jubilee is a chance to reflect on the past 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the longest of any British monarch in history.

But when was the Queen crowned sovereign and how old was the Queen when she became the Queen? Here’s everything you need to know.

How old was the Queen when she became the Queen?

The Queen’s official coronation took place in 1953

Kate Ng24 May 2022 17:00

The Queen meets The Amir of Qatar

The Queen has met The Amir of Qatar this afternoon at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace tweeted.

Laura Hampson24 May 2022 17:54

Prince William says awarding damehood to Deborah James was ‘amazing for her family’

The Duke of Cambridge has spoken about the experience of giving Deborah James her Damehood, calling it “amazing”.

Prince William paid a visit to her at home earlier this month to present her with the award in person.

Olivia Petter reports:

Prince William says awarding damehood to Deborah James was ‘amazing for her family’

‘I was very honoured to be able to speak to her,’ says Duke

Kate Ng24 May 2022 18:00

Thank you for following our live coverage of the Queen’s platinum jubilee and all things related to the royal family today. Come back tomorrow to join us again as we continue to report in the lead-up to the big platinum jubilee weekend.

Kate Ng24 May 2022 18:30

Good morning, and welcome back to The Independent’s liveblog following all the latest updates on the Queen. Her Majesty’s big platinum jubilee weekend is imminent, and we will keep you in the loop as the celebrations draw nearer.

Kate Ng25 May 2022 08:38

Eurovision star Sam Ryder is ‘speechless’ about performing at the Queen’s jubilee concert

Sam Ryder is “a bit speechless” about being selected as one of the acts to perform at the Queen’s platinum jubilee concert.

The Eurovision star –who represented the UK in the 2022 contest – has been celebrating ever since competing in Turin, Italy, where he came in second place with an impressive 466 points.

Culture Reporter Nicole Vassell has the full story:

Eurovision star Sam Ryder is ‘speechless’ about performing at the Jubilee concert

UK’s Eurovision competitor will take part in the concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday 4 June

Kate Ng25 May 2022 08:48

Queen is a ‘girl in pearls’ with a difference for new Country Life frontispiece

The Queen has appeared as one of Country Life’s famous “girls in pearls” for the platinum jubilee, with a portrait collage made up of fragments of the sovereign at different stages of her life.

The artwork, entitled “Faces Of A Monarch”, has been created by artist James Vaulkhard for the 125-year-old magazine in honour of the head of state’s milestone.

Queen is a ‘girl in pearls’ with a difference for new Country Life frontispiece

The magazine has commissioned a special artwork for its Platinum Jubilee edition

Kate Ng25 May 2022 09:30

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