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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.

WATCH: 6 things to know about the Queen’s platinum jubilee

Although she is the first monarch to celebrate 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II isn’t the first royal to celebrate landmark dates in style.

Since George III in 1809, monarchs have been commemorated in a variety of different ways, including with parties, pageants and world tours.

Watch our latest IndyTV to discover six things about the royals and their jubilees, ahead of the Queen’s June celebrations:

6 things to know about the Queen’s platinum jubilee

The UK is marking the Queen’s platinum jubilee with a special bank holiday weekend, celebrating the monarch’s record-breaking 70-year reign.Queen Elizabeth II, of course, isn’t the first royal to celebrate landmark dates in style.Since George III in 1809, monarchs have been commemorated in a variety of different ways, including with parties, pageants and world tours.Here are six things to know about the royals and their jubilees, ahead of the Queen’s June celebrations.Click here to sign up for our newsletters.

Kate Ng27 May 2022 13:30

Hopes London’s £80m Jubilee celebrations will kickstart economic recovery

Celebrations taking place in London’s West End to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee could be worth £80m and kickstart the economic recovery of the entire UK, according to new research.

Joanna Whitehead reports:

Hopes London’s £80m Jubilee celebrations will kickstart economic recovery

The capital is gearing up to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign with a series of events

Kate Ng27 May 2022 14:30

Queen travels to Balmoral ahead of platinum jubilee celebrations

The Queen has travelled to Balmoral for a short break ahead of the platinum jubilee celebrations which begin next week.

The monarch has attended a number of high-profile engagements in recent weeks and it is understood she is now pacing herself before the national events start.

It is understood the Queen arrived at her private Scottish home on Thursday. She usually visits Scotland at this time of year.

PA

Kate Ng27 May 2022 14:44

Score a royal bargain for platinum jubilee

As Britons prepare to spend the four-day platinum jubilee weekend marking the Queen’s 70th year on the throne, restaurants, supermarket and food delivery services have launched special deals and discounts to help the nation celebrate.

To help you get the most royal bang for your buck, we;’ve rounded up food and drink offers and giveaways that are launching in the coming days.

All the food and drink deals over the platinum jubilee bank holiday

The nation will mark the Queen’s seven decade-long reign in June

Kate Ng27 May 2022 15:30

What the royal family have said about The Crown

While we’re big fans of Netflix’s The Crown over here, the royal family aren’t so keen on the highly-popular series about, well, themselves.

In September 2019, palace officials actually released a statement making it clear that the royal family has nothing to do with how its members are portrayed in The Crown.

Culture reporter Ellie Muir takes a look at everything the royal family has said about the series:

What members of the royal family think of The Crown

Ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we reflect on the depiction of the royal family in Netflix’s period drama – and what certain members had to say about it

Kate Ng27 May 2022 16:30

POLL: Who’s your favourite member of the royal family?

There are just days to go until the Queen’s platinum jubilee and whether you’re spending the upcoming Bank Holiday being patriotic or will be avoiding all union jacks, we want to know; do you have a favourite royal and if so, who?

Have your say in the poll below:

Who’s your favourite member of the royal family?

Vote to shape The Independent’s reader-determined ranking of your most popular royals

Kate Ng27 May 2022 17:30

Thanks for joining us today! See you tomorrow when we return to bring you the latest updates on the Queen and the royal family as the platinum jubilee weekend quickly approaches.

Kate Ng27 May 2022 18:30

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of the Queen, the royal family and the platinum jubilee.

Laura Hampson28 May 2022 08:36

Kate makes nod to Meghan and Harry during garden party

In case you missed it, Kate Middleton appeared to make a nod to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during a garden party she attended at Buckingham Palace this week.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a similar style of headwear that she wore to the Sussex’s wedding in 2018.

Harry and Meghan are expected to head to the UK with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee next week.

Saman Javed reports:

Kate Middleton makes nod to Meghan and Harry during Queen’s garden party

The Duchess of Cambridge chose a mint-green ensemble

Laura Hampson28 May 2022 09:12

Where will Meghan and Harry stay during the Queen’s jubilee?

With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set to return to the UK on an official visit next week for the first time since they stepped down as senior members of the royal family, there’s one question we’ve all been asking: Where will they stay?

Chelsea Ritschel has the answer:

Where will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stay during Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?

Sussexes will attend Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations with their two children in June

Laura Hampson28 May 2022 10:25

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