PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to keep a low profile during their trip to the UK next week – and will reportedly avoid any “surprise” appearances that might overshadow the Queen’s Jubilee.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are bringing their kids Archie, three, and Lilibet, almost one, to the UK for the celebrations next week and will likely stay at their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage.
They are expected to attend a number of official engagements with the Royal Family, including the St Paul’s Cathedral service of thanksgiving on Friday June 3.
But according to the Telegraph, the Sussexes will limit their public outings, spending time with family privately but not making unannounced visits.
They are said to have been in touch with the palace only to discuss logistical arrangements for the Jubilee, with royal aides kept at arms’ length about their wider plans.
On whether the couple will only carry out official engagements, one source told the Telegraph: “We’ll see.”
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It comes as Her Majesty, 96, looks forward to meeting her great granddaughter Lilibet for the first time.
The monarch is expected to “welcome Harry and Meghan with open arms” and, according to insiders, is likely to spend time with them next Saturday, when Lilibet celebrates her first birthday.
The Queen wants her four-day Jubilee celebrations to be “an occasion in which the country, including her own family, comes together” a source told the Daily Mail.
She allegedly also “doesn’t want anything to overshadow it – and that includes any family issues.”
A spokesman for the Sussexes said: “The duke and duchess are
excited and honoured to attend the Jubilee celebrations.”
This follows news that the Queen has taken a “mini-break” to Scotland to chill out and ensure she is fully fit and ready for her four-day Platinum Jubilee beano.
The 96-year-old is staying at her Highlands bolthole Craigowan Lodge on her Balmoral estate.
It comes after The Celeb Report revealed a wheelchair lift and security ring of steel had been installed around the lodge – so she could spend more time in Scotland.
The Queen has carried out a hectic few weeks opening the Elizabeth Line, watching the Royal Windsor Horse Show and taking a golf cart around Chelsea Flower Show.
She will relax at the lodge described as her “favourite home” before Platinum Jubilee kicks off next Thursday.
The monarch often travels to Balmoral at this time of year and usually stays for around a week.
Her break on this occasion is understood to be a means of pacing herself ahead of the Jubilee weekend.
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A source close to the Queen said she wants to take more short breaks to Balmoral and Sandringham when possible.
One said: “It dawned on her last year that she can take these mini-breaks and she thoroughly enjoys them.”
