The Queen’s appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the finale of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations is “in no way guaranteed,” a well-placed source told The Mail on Sunday.
It was hoped the Queen could appear on the iconic balcony alongside other members of her family, but that now seems in doubt due to the 96-year-old’s limited mobility. Helpers are busy developing a “Plan B”.
A source said: “It could still happen, but it’s by no means guaranteed that we’ll see the Queen on the balcony during the anniversary.”
Appearances on the famous balcony overlooking The Mall have been a focal point for historic royal occasions.
Royal newlyweds have appeared there to kiss the crowd below, and the royal family traditionally gather on the balcony to wave after the annual Trooping the Color parade.
Queen Elizabeth II gestures with son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 5, 2012. Her Majesty’s appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the finale of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations is “in no way guaranteed,” a well-placed source told The Mail on Sunday
The monarch is joined by members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to mark the 2019 anniversary. limited mobility of the year-old
Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh waving from the balcony at the anniversary in 1977. An insider said: ‘It could still happen but it’s by no means guaranteed that we’ll see the Queen on the balcony during the Jubilee’
Each jubilee year of the Queen’s reign also has a balcony moment when various members of her family gather to watch an RAF flypast.
But courtiers fear the tradition could come to an end in June.
The warning comes just days after plans for the anniversary folk competition were released on Sunday June 5th. It will culminate in a “national tribute” led by singer Ed Sheeran.
The first recorded balcony appearance was when Queen Victoria stepped out to greet the public during the opening celebrations of the 1851 World’s Fair.
For the Golden Jubilee in 2002, Brian May, guitarist for the band Queen, played the national anthem from the roof of the palace.
A decade later, the Diamond Jubilee featured a slimmed-down monarchy on the balcony, consisting of the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
Some members of the royal family were reportedly dismayed at being left out.
A source said: “One aide had a call from the Duke of York demanding his reinstatement and another from the Wessexes who were obviously hurt at being expelled.”
Now there are harder decisions, including whether to show the balcony moment at all when the Queen cannot attend.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh wave from the balcony after Her Majesty’s coronation in 1953. Appearances on the famous balcony overlooking The Mall were a focal point for historic royal occasions
Prince Andrew is highly unlikely to appear as he has retired from public life following the settlement of a civil court case in America over allegations of sexual abuse, which he vehemently denies.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also stepped down from their royal roles, apparently automatically barring them from playing an official role at the Platinum Jubilee to celebrate the Queen’s 70th year on the throne, although Prince Harry has hinted that he could return to Britain with his family for the celebrations.
The Queen has yet to meet her great-granddaughter, ten-month-old Lilibet.
During the recent Invictus Games in the Netherlands, Harry told a US TV station: “I don’t know yet.
There are many things with security issues and everything else. So, that’s what I try to do, try to make it possible that I can get my kids to meet them.
But a Queen’s non-appearance on the balcony would solve a problem by ending the family argument over who should stand next to her.
Andrew is said to be struggling to attend the anniversary and is expected to continue attending family gatherings. However, questions are being asked about what constitutes an official anniversary engagement.