Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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.

Where will Prince Harry and Meghan stay during the Jubilee?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have confirmed they will be attending Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations along with their two children next month.

The scheduled June visit to the UK, which comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a secret visit to the Queen last month before travelling to The Hague, Netherlands for the Invictus Games, will mark the first time the 96-year-old monarch has met the couple’s daughter, Lilibet Diana, 11 months.

But where will the family stay? Chelsea Ritschel has the low-down here:

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 Hampson18 May 2022 19:28

The eight key bombshell claims from the Palace Papers

In case you missed it, author Tina Brown recounted scandals, love affairs and betrayals that have plagued royal family over past three decades in her recently-released book, The Palace Papers.

Packed with eye-opening details, the author of The Diana Chronicles picks up from where she left off in her last book - the death of the People’s Princess - and documents the next 25 years of the Firm’s history.

Covering all the senior royals in equal measure, Brown leaves no stone unturned and has interviewed over 120 sources for the project.

Here are the key claims:

The eight key bombshell claims in The Palace Papers

Author Tina Brown recounts scandals, love affairs and betrayals that have plagued royal family over past three decades in new book The Palace Papers

Laura Hampson18 May 2022 20:36

Check back in tomorrow

That’s a wrap of our royal coverage today, check back in tomorrow for the latest stories from the royal family.

Laura Hampson18 May 2022 21:10

Good morning and welcome to today’s liveblog covering the latest Queen and royal family-related news.

Laura Hampson19 May 2022 08:07

Queen + Adam Lambert to open Platinum Jubilee concert

Queen + Adam Lambert will open the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert 20 years after Brian May performed “God Save the Queen” on Buckingham Palace’s roof to mark the Golden Jubilee.

The Queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne in June, with a whole line-up of events taking place across the country to celebrate her reign.

One of the most star-studded events taking place over the bank holiday weekend is the Platinum Party at the Palace, which will be broadcast live on the BBC on Saturday 4 June.

Isobel Lewis has the full story here:

Full line-up for Platinum Party at the Palace concert for Queen’s jubilee announced

Diana Ross, Alicia Keys and Nile Rodgers will all be performing

Laura Hampson19 May 2022 08:25

Everything the Queen eats in a day, according to royal chefs

With a team of world-class chefs, access to the best food that money can buy, and dining rooms at palaces across the UK, you would have thought meal times are always prestigious in the Windsor household.

Yet, as the Queen’s former chef Darren McGrady previously revealed, the Queen sticks to a pretty rigid schedule about what she eats and drinks.

Read the full story here:

Everything the Queen eats in a day, according to royal chefs

Her Majesty reportedly has four meals a day - but only eats small portions at each.

Laura Hampson19 May 2022 08:26

Over 2,800 beacons will be lit to celebrate Queen’s platinum jubilee

More than 2,800 Platinum Jubilee beacons will be lit across the globe in honour of the Queen’s 70-year reign, organisers have revealed as the two-week countdown to the national celebrations begins.

Read the full report here:

Over 2,800 beacons will be lit to celebrate Queen’s platinum jubilee

A beacon made of broken hospital beds and the illumination of nine London bridges will be among the tributes on the first day of the jubilee weekend.

Laura Hampson19 May 2022 08:55

William and Kate to attend Top Gun: Maverick premiere in London

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make an appearance at the UK premiere of the highly anticipated Top Gun sequel, Maverick.

The couple will join Tom Cruise for the London event on Thursday, which is taking place as a Royal Film Performance.

The fundraising event is held in aid of The Film and TV Charity, which supports people working behind the scenes in the UK’s screen sector.

Read the full report here:

William and Kate to attend Top Gun: Maverick premiere in London

The film has so far received rave reviews from critics

Laura Hampson19 May 2022 09:18

What is operation London Bridge?

The day that Queen Elizabeth II dies will elicit a series of carefully constructed plans that have been in place since the 1960s in a process dubbed “Operation London Bridge”.

Oivia Petter has the complete run-down on the process here:

The secret plan for after the Queen dies has been updated

The plan is known as Operation London Bridge and includes a governmental social media blackout

Laura Hampson19 May 2022 09:47

First Nations leader calls for Queen’s apology over indigenous children scandal

The Prince of Wales has not apologised on behalf of the Queen for the “assimilation and genocide” of Canada’s indigenous residential school children but instead “acknowledged” the nation’s dark past, First Nations leaders have said.

RoseAnne Archibald, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, appealed directly to Charles for an apology from the monarch during a reception in the Canadian capital where many leading figures from the country’s indigenous community were invited, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other prominent individuals.

You can read the full story here:

First Nations leader calls for Queen’s apology over indigenous children scandal

Canada is dealing with a national scandal that saw thousands die or be abused in residential schools

Laura Hampson19 May 2022 10:23

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in