The Queen is likely to meet the great-granddaughter who was named after her on the baby’s first birthday, which falls over the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, The Times understands.
Lilibet, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who was named after the Queen’s childhood nickname, has her birthday on Saturday, the day of the Platinum Party at the Palace concert.
Lilibet, who is known as Lily, was born in California and has never met her great-grandmother or her grandfather, the Prince of Wales.
Although the Queen, 96, who has been experiencing episodic mobility problems, was keen to attend the Epsom Derby on Saturday afternoon, she has now decided to watch it on television at Windsor Castle instead.
That would free her up to see Lilibet on her birthday. However, the decision not to go to the Derby was motivated by a desire to pace herself rather than a wish to make herself available for her great-granddaughter. The Princess Royal and her family will represent the Queen at the race meeting.
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The Derby remains the only Classic which the Queen has never won. All three of her horses that were entered this year have been withdrawn, although her colt Educator may still run in another race.
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It is not known whether the Queen, who is staying at Balmoral until the middle of the week, will go and see Lilibet or whether the Sussexes will take her to meet the Queen. However given that they are staying at Frogmore Cottage, which is only a few minutes’ drive from Windsor Castle, some kind of meeting is believed to be inevitable. Princess Eugenie and her family, who have been living at Frogmore Cottage, have moved out so that Harry and Meghan and their two children can stay there during the Jubilee.
The Queen’s appearances during the four days of Jubilee celebrations are likely to be limited. For Trooping the Colour on Thursday she is expected to remain at Buckingham Palace during the ceremony, while the Prince of Wales, colonel of the Welsh Guards, will take the salute at Horse Guards Parade, joined by the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal.
In a compromise, which will avoid her having to sit on dais during the long parade, the Queen will come out on to the balcony at the conclusion of the ceremony to take a salute from the Household Division as it marches in front of Buckingham Palace.
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She will then go back into the palace before emerging again with other members of the royal family to watch the flypast. Neither the Sussexes nor the Duke of York will appear on the balcony, as it is confined to working members of the royal family and their children.
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Both the Sussexes and Prince Andrew are expected to attend the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday. That is likely to be the only time that Andrew is seen at any official celebrations over the weekend. The Queen hopes to attend the service, although that will not be confirmed until nearer the time.
It is not thought likely that the Queen will make an appearance at the concert at the palace on Saturday night. However, she may make an appearance at the pageant on Sunday: there has been speculation that there will be another balcony appearance. It has not been confirmed by the palace, but it has not been ruled out either.
