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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.

Birthday wishes for Lilibet posted by royal family on Twitter

Members of the royal family have shared birthday messages for Lilibet, who turns one today.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Queen and Buckingham Palace all posted well-wishes on Twitter.

Lilibet - whose full name is Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor - was born in California, US and she met her great-grandmother, the Queen, for the first time this weekend.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to have a quiet celebration for their daughter’s birthday at their former home of Frogmore Cottage, Windsor.

Furvah Shah4 June 2022 10:15

Thousands attend Sandringham jubilee party

Thousands of people attended a large jubilee party in the parkland of the royal Sandringham Estate on Friday.

Fans held tea parties, donned jubilee-themed clothing and waved union jacket flags as they were treated to performances by the Military Wives Choir and Welsh opera singer, Katherine Jenkins OBE.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Furvah Shah4 June 2022 10:45

Best moments from Friday’s jubilee celebrations

On Friday, we saw members of the royal family, leading politicians and other famous famous come together at St Paul’s cathedral for a historic service of thanksgiving in celebration of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

While the Queen herself was not in attendance due to experiencing “discomfort” following Thursday’s busy day of events, she watched the service on television from Windsor Castle.

Meghan Markle returned to the UK after two years, accompanied by husband Prince Harry and other notable attendees of the service included Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St Paul’s Cathedral
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St Paul’s Cathedral (Getty Images)
It was the couple’s first royal appearance in two years
It was the couple’s first royal appearance in two years (Reuters)
William and Kate leaving the Jubilee service
William and Kate leaving the Jubilee service (AP)
Kate wore a pair of the Queen’s earrings for the service
Kate wore a pair of the Queen’s earrings for the service (AP)
Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie, leaving St Paul’s Cathedral
Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie, leaving St Paul’s Cathedral (PA Wire)
Furvah Shah4 June 2022 11:00

People gather on Mall ahead of Party at the Palace

People have begun to gather on the Mall leading up to Buckingham Palace, London ahead of this evening’s jubilee concert.

(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

The Party at the Palace will see stars such as Queen with Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys and Duran Duran perform.

Other famous faces such as David Attenborough and Emma Raducanu are also expected to be in attendance.

Buckingham Palace have not confirmed the Queen’s attendance as Her Majesty has already pulled out of today’s Epsom Derby due to experiencing “discomfort” after Thursday’s celebrations.

But, Prince Charles and Prince William will reportedly take the stage to deliver personal messages on behalf of and to the Queen.

Furvah Shah4 June 2022 11:15

Prince Edward and Sophie visiting Belfast, Northern Ireland

Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex are visiting Belfast, Northern Ireland today as a part of ongoing jubilee celebrations.

The Earl and Countess will join members of the public at a 1950s-themed celebration on Royal Avenue in the city and will meet groups of performers, including the Belfast Busking Band.

They are also set to hear stories of the city’s diverse communities over the last 70 years, which will be explored through fashion, photography, music and dance.

Prince Edward will go on to meet older members of the local community, brought together by Age Friendly Belfast to share their memories and experiences, while the Countess will join in with special jubilee craft activities - including making crowns and corgis with school children - before viewing a showcase of fashion through the ages.

The couple will also try a local delicacy, the Belfast Bap, will visit stalls at the Retro Jubilee Market and watch a community dance performance that celebrates the last seven decades.

The royal couple will then travel to their second engagement in the region, thought to be in Bangor, on Saturday afternoon.

Additional reporting by PA

Furvah Shah4 June 2022 11:30

Police briefly evacuate Trafalgar Square after “incident"

Police briefly evacuated Trafalgar Square this morning ahead of further jubilee celebrations.

The Metropolitan Police said they were on scene at 11.06am and warned people not to travel to the area.

At 11.16am, they said the “incident” had concluded and the square will “reopen in due course.”

The details of the incident are not yet known.

Furvah Shah4 June 2022 11:35

What time does the Platinum Jubilee concert start and how can I watch it?

As a part of today’s platinum jubilee celebrations, the BBC is holding a Platinum Party At The Palace concert, which will see a range of famous famous perform.

Around 22,000 people are set to attend the event, including 10,000 members of the public who won tickets in the public ballot, which closed on 23 March. Over 7,500 tickets were designated for key workers, members of the armed forces, volunteers and charities.

The concert will include performances from Queen with Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Duran Duran, Hans Zimmer and Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder.

The Platinum Party At The Palace is set to take place outside Buckingham Palace at 7.30pm.

For those who were unable to get tickets, the concert is being broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio 2.

Tom Murray has more details.

Furvah Shah4 June 2022 11:50

‘Controlled explosion’ at Trafalgar Square

Police carried out a controlled explosion in Trafalgar Square, London this morning after a suspicious vehicle had been found in the area.

The public were evacuated from the location ahead of busy jubilee celebrations throughout central London today, but the square is now being reopened.

Police remain on the scene.

A representative from the Metropolitan Police told The Independent it was a “false alarm” and the car has since been removed.

(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Furvah Shah4 June 2022 12:10

Police have ‘no further concern’ about Trafalgar Square incident

Police say they have “no further concerns” about an incident in Trafalgar Square this morning, where they carried out a controlled explosion and evacuated members of the public.

The Metropolitan Police say a “suspicious vehicle” was reported to them at around 9.22am and the location was evacuated briefly at around 11.06am.

The square is now being reopened and police told The Independent it was a “false alarm.”

They also confirmed the incident was “not terrorism related” and the vehicle in question has since been removed.

Furvah Shah4 June 2022 12:30

Racegoers arrive at Epsom Derby

Racegoers have begun to arrive at the Epsom Derby in preparation for the day’s sporting events.

Attendees - many dressed in jubilee-themed clothing - will begin placing their bets on participating horses ahead of the events start time of 5.30pm.

While the Queen pulled out of attending the Derby due to experiening “discomfort” after Thursday’s jubilee celebrations, Princess Anne is thought to make an appearance.

(REUTERS)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Furvah Shah4 June 2022 12:55

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