Queen Elizabeth II makes surprise appearance on palace balcony to ...

London CNN —

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on Sunday, as part of the final day of celebrations to mark her historic 70-year reign.

The Queen had skipped events on Friday and Saturday – a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral and an afternoon at Epsom racecourse – after experiencing “discomfort” during the opening day parade on Thursday.

The Queen was flanked by three generations of her family – Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and their three children – to the delight of thousands who had gathered along the Mall for the once-in-a-lifetime jubilee event.

The crowd roared as the 96-year-old monarch – dressed in a vibrant green and clutching her cane – emerged with a broad smile and surveyed the patriotic sea of Union Jack flag-waving well-wishers before her.

Corgis, cannons and Paddington Bear: See how the UK celebrated the Queen's Jubilee 03:02 - Source: CNN

In a message released by Buckingham Palace on Saturday evening, the Queen said she had been “humbled and deeply touched” by all the people who had come together both at events in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom to mark her milestone.

“When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee,” the message began.

“While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family,” she continued.

The monarch said she had been “inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship” seen during the jubilee weekend and hoped “this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come.”

She concluded her message, saying: “I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations.”

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II watches from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour parade in London on Thursday, June 2. Jonathan Brady/Pool/AP The Queen is joined by members of the royal family during her balcony appearance on Sunday. With her, from left, are Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles; Prince William; Prince George; Princess Charlotte; Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge; and Prince Louis. Bernadette Tuazon/CNN Soldiers parade during the People's Pageant in London on Sunday. Frank Augstein/Pool/AFP/Getty Images Crowds watch the Queen's appearance in London on Sunday. Dominic Lipinski/PA/AP Ed Sheeran performs before the Queen's appearance. Leon Neal/WPA Pool/Getty Images Archive video of the Queen plays inside a Gold State Coach during the parade on Sunday. Toby Hancock/CNN Cakes celebrating the jubilee are displayed at a street party in Aylesford, England, on Sunday. Gareth Fuller/PA Images/Getty Images Sunday's parade had performers, military personnel and key workers walking down The Mall to bring to life many iconic moments from the Queen's reign. Dominic Lipinski/PA/AP Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, attend a Big Jubilee Lunch event Sunday in London. There were similar lunchtime events taking place in other communities across the country. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images Revelers pose for pictures as they attend a party in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, England, on Sunday. Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images People gather outside Windsor Castle for the Big Jubilee Lunch there on Sunday. Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images Children chalk a flag on the road during a street party in York, England, in Sunday. Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Queen's Brian May delights concertgoers as the band — joined by Adam Lambert — opens a special show outside of Buckingham Palace on Saturday night. The two-and-a-half hour concert boasted an impressive lineup of stars. Alberto Pezzali/AP Members of the royal family attend Saturday night's concert. In the center row, from left, are Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge; Princess Charlotte; Prince George; and Prince William. Chris Jackson/Pool/Getty Images Rod Stewart performs on stage during Saturday night's concert, where he performed Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," a British karaoke classic. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Drones make a shape of a corgi dog — a Queen favorite — above the palace on Saturday night. Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images/Getty Images Prince Charles, accompanied by his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, delivers a speech at Saturday night's concert. "You pledged to serve your whole life," he said of his mother, the Queen. "You continue to deliver. That is why we are here. That is what we celebrate tonight." Jonathan Buckmaster/AFP/Getty Images People cheer as they gather at The Mall for the concert outside Buckingham Palace. Hollie Adams/Getty Images Diana Ross appears on stage during the concert. The legendary singer closed the show with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Alastair Grant/AP People gather along The Mall for Saturday night's concert. Hollie Adams/Getty Images Prince George and Princess Charlotte also joined their parents at a walkabout in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday. Their visit was part of the royal family's tour of all four regions of the United Kingdom. Ashley Crowden/AFP/Getty Images Princess Anne, the Queen's only daughter, stands on the balcony of the royal box while attending the Epsom Derby horse race on Saturday. She was filling in for her mother, who has been a regular spectator at the event in past years. Megan Ridgwell/The Jockey Club/PA Wire/Reuters Boys ride a bus in Epsom alongside cardboard cutouts of the Queen. Leon Neal/Getty Images Princess Charlotte conducts a band next to her brother Prince George as they visited Cardiff Castle in Wales. Ashley Crowden/AFP/Getty Images People dance during jubilee celebrations in London on Saturday. Dylan Martinez/Reuters People gather for a street party in Hayfield, England, on Saturday. Anthony Devlin/Getty Images Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, depart St Paul's Cathedral in London after attending a service honoring the Queen on Friday. Harry and Meghan, who flew from the United States for the jubilee celebrations, were warmly welcomed by a crowd outside the service. Ahead of the event, there was much speculation in the British press over how the couple would be received following their decision to step back from the royal family and move to California two years ago. Alberto Pezzali/AP Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, smiles as she arrives at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday. Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images More than 400 people were invited to Friday's event recognizing the Queen's lifetime of service. The congregation included key workers, teachers and public servants as well as representatives from the Armed Forces, charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups, according to Buckingham Palace. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was among those in the audience. Dan Kitwood/AP Prince Charles arrives for Friday's service. Another one of the Queen's sons, Prince Andrew, was notably absent after testing positive for Covid-19. Henry Nicholls/AP The theme of Friday's event was public service. It included Bible readings, prayers and congregational hymns to honor the Queen's 70 years on the British throne. Aaron Chown/AP/Pool British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pauses while inside St Paul's Cathedral on Friday. Johnson was cheered and booed by the crowd when he arrived for the service. Victoria Jones/AP A member of the military stumbles Friday while on duty ahead of the service. Daniel Leal/AP A woman holds a cutout picture of the Queen while waiting outside St Paul's Cathedral on Friday. Alberto Pezzali/AP People gather outside St Paul's Cathedral to watch the arrivals. Alberto Pezzali/AP The Queen prepares to touch the Commonwealth of Nations Globe to start the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday. Steve Parsons/Getty Images A Platinum Jubilee beacon is lit by Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Commander of Edinburgh Garrison Lt. Col. Lorne Campbell at Scotland's Edinburgh Castle on Thursday. More than 1,500 towns, villages and cities throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories would come together to light a beacon to mark the jubilee. Jane Barlow/AP People pack The Mall in London for Thursday's Trooping the Colour parade. Aaron Chown/AP The Queen walks out onto the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Trooping the Colour parade. Bernadette Tuazon/CNN Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, waves during a carriage procession on Thursday. Joining her on the carriage were her three children — Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte — as well as Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Toby Hancock/CNN Planes spell out the number 70 as they fly over Buckingham Palace on Thursday. Toby Hancock/CNN The Queen's great-grandson Prince Louis holds his hands over his ears during the six-minute flypast staged by the Royal Air Force. From left are Prince Charles; the Queen; Prince Louis; Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge; and Princess Charlotte. Hannah McKay/Reuters A 124-gun salute is fired at the Tower of London as part of the Trooping the Colour parade. Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images The Trooping the Colour event involved 1,500 soldiers and officers, 400 musicians, 250 horses and 70 aircraft, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Three of the Queen's great-grandchildren— from left, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte — ride in the carriage procession on Thursday. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images Prince William, left, rides on horseback next to his father, Prince Charles, during the Trooping the Colour parade. Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images The Queen's Guard marches during the Trooping the Colour parade Thursday. Matt Dunham/AP The Queen is joined by members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony on Thursday. Aaron Chown/AP Thousands of people flocked to central London for the celebrations Thursday. Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN A military band performs on Thursday. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Four of the Queen's great-grandchildren watch the parade from a window of Buckinghamp Palace on Thursday. From left are Prince George, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Mia Tindall. Matt Dunham/Pool/AFP/Getty Images A member of the Coldstream Guards holds souvenir programs ahead of the start of Thursday's parade. Toby Melville/AFP/Getty Images Prince Edward, right, rides in a carriage along with his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, and their children, James and Louise. Bernadette Tuazon/CNN The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry takes part in the parade Thursday. Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images A man wears a Union Jack suit as people gather on The Mall for jubilee celebrations on Thursday. Henry Nicholls/Reuters Police officers line up on The Mall ahead of the Trooping the Colour parade on Thursday. Dominic Lipinski/PA Images/Getty Images A member of the Buckingham Palace staff cleans the balcony ahead of the Trooping the Colour parade on Thursday. Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images Crowds gather in London for the parade. Toby Hancock/CNN Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lights the Commonwealth Beacon for a jubilee celebration in Canberra, Australia, on Thursday. Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images Some royal fans had Union flags applied to their faces as they gathered along The Mall in London on Thursday. David Cliff/AP People wear masks of the Queen and one of her dogs as they attend jubilee celebrations on The Mall on Thursday. Peter Nicholls/Reuters Anita Atkinson, who has collected more than 12,000 items of royal memorabilia, makes her way to a tea party in Durham on Thursday. Owen Humphreys/PA Images/Getty Images People sing the national anthem as they gather along The Mall on Thursday. David Cliff/AP A boy poses with a Union flag on The Mall on Wednesday. Leon Neal/Getty Images In pictures: Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Prev Next

It was the third balcony appearance for the monarch during the jubilee weekend. She previously watched a flypast with her family and took a salute from soldiers as they returned from the Trooping the Colour military parade on Thursday. She also took part in the beacon lighting ceremony that evening from Windsor Castle.

During the brief, three-minute appearance, the Queen looked on stoically as her family joined the public in a rendition of the National Anthem, performed by the Band of the Royal Marines.

As red, white and blue flares were fired into the air, the family waved one last time and walked back into the residence as the West End cast of “Mamma Mia!” began singing “Dancing Queen.”

Moments before, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran took center stage in front of the palace gates, where he sang his hit song “Perfect.” Archival footage of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh played on the nearby big screens.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex – who have kept a low profile during their return to the UK for the festivities – were not present at celebrations on Sunday. The Queen’s disgraced son, Prince Andrew, was also absent after recently testing positive for coronavirus.

Soldiers parade during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant outside Buckingham Palace in London on Sunday. Frank Augstein/AP

The balcony appearance capped a spectacular jubilee grand finale on Sunday. Earlier, a cast of 6,000 people took to the streets of central London for The People’s Pageant in her honor.

Following a 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) route, military personnel, performers, key workers and volunteers from across the UK and Commonwealth marched, echoing the Queen’s own coronation 70 years ago. The carnival procession paraded through the streets of Westminster, along the Mall and towards Buckingham Palace.

Crowds hoping to see the Queen were given a clue the monarch had decided to make a surprise appearance as the Royal Standard flag was raised over the palace towards the end of the parade.

Max Foster Lauren Said-Moorhouse
Max Foster
Lauren Said-Moorhouse

Queen Elizabeth: Prince William and Prince Harry hold vigil beside ...

London CNN —

Prince William, Prince Harry and Queen Elizabeth II’s other grandchildren held a vigil at her lying in state on Saturday, as the royal family prepares to bid farewell to the late monarch at her state funeral.

The brothers stood watch for 15 minutes over the Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall, where it has been displayed to the public since Wednesday.

They were joined by Princess Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, Prince Andrew’s daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Lady Louise and Viscount Severn, who are the children of Prince Edward. The Earl and Countess of Wessex were present to support their children as Louise and James are comparatively younger than their cousins, a royal source told CNN.

Harry wore military uniform during the appearance at the request of King Charles III, a royal source previously told CNN. As a non-working member of the royal family, he has appeared at other events in a morning suit.

The grandchildrens’ vigil followed a similar appearance by Charles and his siblings on Friday. It comes two days before the Queen’s state funeral on Monday. The monarch died on September 8 after a 70-year-reign, prompting a lengthy period of mourning and a number of commemorations around the country.

Prince William and the Queen's other grandchildren arrive to mount a vigil on Saturday. Ian Vogler/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II's grandchildren hold a vigil beside the coffin of their grandmother as it lies in state in Westminster Hall on Saturday. Aaron Chown/Pool/Reuters

William and Harry have set aside long-running tensions to make joint appearances at some events. A walkabout by the brothers and their wives Catherine, Princess of Wales and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Windsor last weekend came as a surprise and was not announced in advance. William invited the Sussexes to see memorials left for the Queen and greet well-wishers, a source told CNN.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie issued a joint statement Saturday thanking their “dear Grannie” and “beloved Queen” and expressing their sorrow at her passing.

“We, like many, thought you’d be here forever. And we all miss you terribly,” the daughters of Prince Andrew said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.

“You were our matriarch, our guide, our loving hand on our backs leading us through this world. You taught us so much and we will cherish those lessons and memories forever. For now dear Grannie, all we want to say is thank you,” Eugenie and Beatrice said. “The world mourns you and the tributes would really make you smile. They are all too true of the remarkable leader you are,” the sisters added.

“We’re so happy you’re back with Grandpa. Goodbye dear Grannie, it has been the honour of our lives to have been your granddaughters and we’re so very proud of you,” the statement said.

The vigil in Westminster Hall lasted 15 minutes. Aaron Chown/Pool/Reuters

Charles and William greet mourners

Earlier on Saturday, King Charles and Prince William, the Prince of Wales, greeted members of the public queuing to see the Queen’s lying in state on Saturday on a surprise walkabout in London.

The royals were spotted shaking hands with well-wishers near Lambeth Bridge. Prince William appeared to be in high spirits as he talked to the crowd and asked several people how long they had been waiting.

Watch King Charles and Prince William surprise people in line to see Queen 01:41 - Source: CNN

Some mourners shouted “hip hip hooray” and “God save the King” as Charles passed.

One woman held up a Paddington Bear toy to Charles; the fictional bear has become associated with the Queen since she appeared in a sketch alongside the character during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

People have been queuing for hours to view the Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin since she began lying-in-state at Westminster Hall on Wednesday.

The line was nearing total capacity on Saturday, the government said. At lunchtime on Saturday, the government’s queue tracker said the current wait time was 14 hours.

Charles III also visited Metropolitan Police headquarters in the Lambeth borough of London to thank police and emergency services officials involved in the planning and implementation of events since the death of the late Queen.

Monday’s funeral for the Queen will be the “largest single policing event” that London’s Metropolitan Police force has ever undertaken, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said during a media briefing on Friday.

On Sunday, King Charles will host a reception at Buckingham Palace for “Heads of State and official overseas guests” ahead of the state funeral for the late Queen.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, received an invitation to that reception by mistake, a source with knowledge of what happened told CNN.

As an official state occasion, the Palace said the King would be accompanied by working members of the royal family only. The source told CNN that they “imagined” that an administration error had occurred. The couple was not “disinvited” from the reception, as some media outlets have reported.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes did not comment.

To get updates on the British Royal Family sent to your inbox, sign up for CNN’s Royal News newsletter.

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Prince Harry's privacy case against Associated Newspapers | The ...

Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at London’s High Court for the second day of his privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.

He is one of a group of high-profile celebrities who are suing Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over allegations of unlawful information gathering, including commissioning the “breaking and entry into private property”, phone-tapping and the unlawful obtaining of medical records.

What is he alleging?

It was announced in October 2022 that the Duke of Sussex would be taking joint legal action against ANL but “so far, legal restrictions requested by the newspaper group mean that specific details of their allegations have not been made public”, said Cosmopolitan.

According to David Sherborne, barrister for the group of claimants, they all claim to be victims of “numerous unlawful acts” carried out by ANL or by those acting on the instructions of its newspapers, the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. Dating back to 1993 and continuing until 2018, these included “illegally intercepting voicemail messages, listening into live landline calls, obtaining private information, such as itemised phone bills or medical records, by deception or ‘blagging’, using private investigators to commit these unlawful information gathering acts on their behalf and even commissioning the breaking and entering into private property”.

Sky News’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock said Prince Harry’s “unexpected arrival at London’s High Court guaranteed all lenses were on him.

“For once, he wants to be the centre of the media attention. By coming to court, Harry is positioning himself as the poster boy of privacy cases,” she said.

He is already involved in a separate libel case against the Mail on Sunday over an article published in February 2022 about his security arrangements in the UK. In 2021 Prince Harry accepted an apology and damages from the paper over its claims that he had “turned his back” on the Royal Marines, while his wife, Meghan Markle, won a privacy case against the publisher in the same year for printing a letter she had written to her estranged father, Thomas Markle.

What is Associated Newspapers’ defence?

ANL said it “vigorously denies” all the claims in the current case, said the i news site. The publisher is arguing that Prince Harry knew extensively about allegations surrounding unlawful information gathering “long before October 2016” and that any claim he has is outside the statute of limitations and should be dismissed.

Prince Harry scheduled to testify in London in phone hacking case

Brian Melley

Associated Press

Prince Harry is expected to testify in a London courtroom in June in one of his phone hacking lawsuits against British tabloids, lawyers said Wednesday.

A trial in a case involving the Duke of Sussex and three others against the publisher of The Mirror is due to start May 9 in the High Court and last six to seven weeks.

While the trial begins three days after the coronation of his father, King Charles III, Harry is is not expected to take the witness stand until early or mid-June, according to a preliminary schedule of witnesses. It’s not clear if Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will attend the coronation.

Harry’s testimony will be the second time he’s been in the High Court in three months after his surprise appearance last week in a similar case.

Tabloid privacy suit:Prince Harry blames royal family for delay

Story on police security protection:Prince Harry sues tabloid for defamation

Harry sat through parts of three days of hearings to see if the phone hacking suit he brought with Elton John, actresses Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, and others survives a legal challenge by the publisher of The Daily Mail.

His presence in court for the dense legal arguments indicated the importance of the case to Harry in his broader battle against the British press. He has several lawsuits against the news media and has said he wants to reform the tabloid press as part of his life’s work.

British tabloid publishers have paid hundreds of millions of dollars to settle claims dating back well over a decade that journalists and private investigators hired by them hacked the voicemails of celebrities, politicians and others in the public eye.

The case against Mirror Group Newspapers alleges that Harry’s voicemail messages were intercepted.

The Mirror publisher is contesting the claims and argues they were brought too late.

The May trial is a test case by four claimants against the Mirror out of a larger group of well-known people who sued the publisher.

Other claimants are Coronation Street actress Nikki Sanderson, comedian Paul Whitehouse’s ex-wife, Fiona Wightman, and actor Michael Turner.

Prince Harry and Meghan surprise crowd when she turns up at WE ...

Prince Harry brought Duchess Meghan on stage for a surprise appearance at WE Day in London Wednesday.

Toward the end of his speech at the event, Harry pulled Meghan on stage to join him.

"I am now going to try to drag my wife on stage," he said to a roaring crowd before walking to the side of the stage where she was sitting.

The duchess, who wore black pants, a black top that showed off her baby bump and a blue blazer, followed Harry on stage hand-in-hand.

"I am with you, and we are with you!" he concluded.

Before the surprise finale, the Duke of Sussex took to the stage solo to address the crowd on a range of topics from mental health to climate change to making your voice heard. WE Day is a global campaign to encourage young people to take part in positive social change, according to Kensington Palace.

"As my wife often reminds me with one of her favorite quotes by Martin Luther King Jr. – 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,' " he said.

He continued, "You know that if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. So let that be your true north, let that be your call to action – to inspire those who stand for nothing, to stand for something – and to stand WITH you."

Photos:Duchess Meghan: Style Diary

More:Will & Kate, Harry & Meghan come together to celebrate Prince of Wales at palace party

Prince Harry makes surprise royal appearance at U.K.-Africa summit

A day after speaking out about his decision to step back from royal duties, Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at an official royal event.

In a news release sent to media outlets after the fact, Buckingham Palace shared Prince Harry's involvement with the U.K.-Africa Investment Summit, an event hosted by the U.K. government to bring together world leaders to "demonstrate the strength of the relationship between the U.K. and Africa" and highlight economic opportunities in Africa.

The Duke of Sussex sat down with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as Prime Minister of Morocco Saadeddine Othmani, President of Malawi Arthur Peter Mutharika and President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi.

Prince William separately met with other African leaders, receiving Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo and Rwanda President Paul Kagame at Buckingham Palace.

Later Monday evening, Prince William and Duchess Kate, along with Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife, Countess Sophie, welcomed guests to a reception at Buckingham Palace for summit attendees. Kate wore a red sequined Needle & Thread gown with matching pointed red pumps.

Harry, 35, was not expected to attend, nor was Duchess Meghan, 38, who is in Canada with baby Archie.

Though Harry's Monday appearance was a surprise, his involvement with Africa is not: The prince has been a steadfast supporter. He, Meghan and Archie visited several African nations in October for the trio's first royal visit as a family. Addressing those who welcomed them at the conclusion of their visit, Prince Harry called Africa his "second home" and explained that part of his love for the continent stemmed from the welcome he received on his first trip in 1997 after the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

"Despite extreme hardship and ongoing challenges on so many levels, people are generous, they are strong, humble and incredibly optimistic," he said. "I have seen strength, resilience, a sense of hope and empathy that I can only aspire to replicate. Ever since I came to this continent as a young boy, trying to cope with something I can never possibly describe, Africa has held me in an embrace that I will never forget, and I feel incredibly fortunate for that."

The duke also made headlines Sunday over his first speech since he and the duchess made their bombshell announcement.

Speaking at a charity event for Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006 to honor Princess Diana's support for orphans in Lesotho, southern Africa, affected by HIV and AIDS, Harry expressed "great sadness" over their step back but stressed his commitment to helping others.

He and Meghan wanted to continue serving "the queen, the commonwealth and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible."

"The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly," Harry said. "It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven't always gone at it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. What I want to make clear is we're not walking away. And we certainly aren't walking away from you."

Queen Elizabeth, 93, released a statement Saturday night expressing pride and thanks to Harry and Meghan for their work while announcing terms the royal family had agreed upon for their exit.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will stop using their HRH titles (His Royal Highness, Her Royal Highness) as they are "no longer working members of the Royal Family," Buckingham Palace announced. They will be known as Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Harry will remain a prince and sixth in line to the British throne.

The couple also will repay the Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will continue to be their family home in the U.K. The home was renovated with 2.4 million pounds ($3.06 million) of taxpayers’ money, royal accounts revealed last year.

Contributing: Morgan Hines

Analysis: William and Harry's show of unity for the Queen | CNN

A version of this story appeared in a special September 14 edition of CNN’s Royal News, a weekly dispatch bringing you the inside track on Britain’s royal family. Sign up here.

London CNN —

Two brothers reunited in grief. Royal-watchers have been relieved to see the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex standing side-by-side once more as they mourn the death of their beloved grandmother.

It’s been a turbulent two years since Harry and Meghan stepped back as working members of the royal family, with the rift in the clan heavily speculated upon by the public and media alike.

On Wednesday, we will see the pair – along with other members of the family – on foot behind the Queen’s coffin as it makes its way through the streets of central London to Westminster Hall, in a procession like no other.

It will be a somber moment when the city falls silent, the only sounds the tolling of Big Ben and minute guns firing in Hyde Park.

A source exclusively told us yesterday that the brothers were expected to have dinner with other members of the royal family at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday after the Queen’s coffin arrived from Scotland. The plane carrying her coffin was the most-tracked flight ever, according to aviation website Flightradar24.

The hearse carrying the Queen's coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening. Andrew Boyers/Reuters

Wednesday won’t be the first time we’ve seen William and Harry together since the death of the Queen last week. The pair were joined by their wives, Catherine and Meghan, on Saturday when they all went to see the floral tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle.

Screams erupted from royal fans as the four emerged, with many hoping the Queen’s death would pave the way for a reconciliation between the brothers.

The joint appearance of William, Harry, Kate and Meghan came as a surprise and was not announced in advance. It was the first time they had been seen together since the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

While the tension between the brothers is well known, and we don’t know how much of that has been resolved, clearly it has been mended to a certain extent that they are able to appear together in public once more.

We understand that the Prince of Wales extended an olive branch to the Sussexes, inviting them to join him and his wife an hour before the walkabout took place. A royal source told us William thought it was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family.

As the “Fab Four” – as Britain’s press previously dubbed the quartet – greeted crowds, Harry told members of the public that “no matter what room of the castle you are in” the Queen’s presence could still be felt. “She was a great granny,” he added.

On Tuesday, as the sun set in Edinburgh, Britain’s longest reigning monarch departed Scotland for the last time. It’s a country she deeply adored and a place where she was often able to figuratively put the crown aside for a short while and simply be the family matriarch, away from public scrutiny.

King Charles III makes a speech after receiving a message of condolence at Hillsborough Castle in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Tuesday. NIALL CARSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Earlier Tuesday, King Charles III visited Northern Ireland, continuing his tour of the nations as the new monarch. The visit saw him travel to Hillsborough Castle, where he met with political leaders and spoke of his mother’s contribution to the peace process. He called her a “shining example” and vowed to continue “to seek the welfare of all the inhabitants of Northern Ireland.”

Join us as we continue our coverage of the Queen’s final journey here.

THE QUEEN OF TRAVEL

Journeys of a lifetime.

During the Queen’s reign, she visited more than 120 countries and witnessed first-hand the revolutions in global travel that shrank the world as her own influence over it diminished.

Elizabeth II lived through the advent of the Jet Age, flew supersonic on the Concorde, saw regimes change, countries form and dissolve, the end of the British Empire and the rise of globalization.

Here, CNN takes a look back at some of the most memorable travel moments from her 70 years as monarch.

DID YOU KNOW?

Prince William inherits the private Duchy of Cornwall estate. Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Prince William just inherited a 685-year-old estate worth $1 billion.

Royal wills are never made public. That means what happens to much of the Queen’s personal wealth following her death will remain a family secret.

Forbes estimated last year that the late monarch’s personal fortune was worth $500 million, made up of her jewels, art collection, investments and two residences, Balmoral Castle in Scotland and Sandringham House in Norfolk. The Queen inherited both properties from her father, King George VI.

But the vast bulk of the royal family’s wealth — totaling at least £18 billion ($21 billion) in land, property and investments — now passes along a well-trodden, centuries-old path to the new monarch, King Charles, and his heir.

The line of succession makes Prince William, now the first in line to the throne, a much wealthier man. The future king inherits the private Duchy of Cornwall estate from his father. The duchy owns a sprawling portfolio of land and property covering almost 140,000 acres, most of it in southwest England. Read the full story from CNN Business here.

WATCH

How Anne learned to be a royal from her mother.

Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter, Princess Anne, is being praised on social media for the way she remained by her mother’s side every step of the way from Balmoral back to London. Many have been admiring Anne for her devotion as the family mourns, but the Princess Royal has always had a notable role in the monarchy. CNN’s Isa Soares reports more on one of the hardest-working royals.

Royal historian: King Charles III should have Princess Anne in the monarchy going forward 02:30 - Source: CNN

“I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life. It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys.” Anne, Princess Royal

Read her full statement here.

Prince Harry trial: Tabloid admits to unlawful information gathering

Brian Melley

Associated Press

LONDON — The publisher of British tabloid the Daily Mirror has acknowledged and apologized for unlawfully gathering information about Prince Harry in its reporting, and said it warrants compensation, at the outset of the prince's first phone hacking trial Wednesday.

The admission was made in court filings outlining Mirror Group Newspapers' defense.

The group continued to deny that it hacked phones to intercept voicemail messages, and said that Harry and three less-well-known celebrities brought their claims beyond a time limit.

But it acknowledged there was "some evidence of the instruction of third parties to engage in other types of UIG (unlawful information gathering) in respect of each of the claimants," which includes the Duke of Sussex. It said this "warrants compensation" but didn't spell out what form that might take.

"MGN unreservedly apologizes for all such instances of UIG, and assures the claimants that such conduct will never be repeated," the court papers said.

The publisher said its apology was not a tactical move to reduce damages but was done "because such conduct should never have occurred."

Prince Harry lawsuit:Royal sues owners of The Sun, The Daily Mirror over alleged phone hacking

The trial is Harry's opening salvo in his legal battle against the British press. Harry and the other celebrities are suing the former publisher of the Daily Mirror for alleged invasion of privacy.

The case is the first of the duke's three phone hacking lawsuits and threatens to do something he said his family long feared: put a royal on the witness stand to discuss embarrassing revelations.

The activities in question stretch back more than two decades, when journalists and private eyes intercepted voicemails to snoop on members of the royal family, politicians, athletes, celebrities and even crime victims. A scandal erupted when the hacking was revealed.

Harry is expected to testify in person in June, his lawyer has said. It won't be his first time in the High Court, following his surprise appearance last month to observe most of a four-day hearing in one of his other lawsuits.

He did not show up for opening statements in the trial. Harry breezed through London for Saturday's coronation of his father, King Charles III, before leaving immediately after the ceremony to fly back to California to be with his family for his son's birthday.

King Charles' coronation:Prince Harry attends without Meghan, misses palace balcony moment

Harry has also sued the publishers of the Daily Mail and The Sun over the phone hacking scandal that metastasized after a year-long inquiry into press ethics in 2011 revealed that employees of the now-defunct News of the World tabloid eavesdropped on mobile phone voicemails.

Harry has outlined his grievances against the media in court papers, saying the press hounded him since his earliest days and created a narrative that portrayed him as "the 'thicko,' the 'cheat,' the 'underage drinker.'" His relationships with girlfriends were wrecked by "the entire tabloid press as a third party."

"Looking back on it now, such behavior on their part is utterly vile," he said in a witness statement in a similar case.

His lawsuits could further roil family relations that have been strained since Harry and his wife, Meghan, left royal life in 2020 and moved to the United States after complaining about racist attitudes from the British press.

Mirror Group Newspapers and other publishers have primarily defended themselves by asserting that Harry failed to bring his cases within a six-year year time limit. The duke's lawyer has argued that an exception should be applied because publishers actively concealed the skullduggery.

In a stunning revelation last month that dredged up an embarrassing chapter in his father's life, Harry blamed his delay in bringing suit, in part, on his family.

The prince has waged a war of words against British newspapers in legal claims and in his best-selling memoir "Spare," vowing to make his life's mission reforming the media that he blames for the death of his mother, Princess Diana. She died in a car wreck in Paris in 1997 while trying to evade paparazzi.

Prince Harry's 'Spare':Physical attacks, drug use, Diana's death and more bombshells from his book

He asserted he was barred from bringing a case against The Sun and other newspapers owned by media magnate Rupert Murdoch because of a "secret agreement" — allegedly approved of by Queen Elizabeth II — that called for reaching a private settlement and getting an apology.

"The reason for this was to avoid the situation where a member of the royal family would have to sit in the witness box and recount the specific details of the private and highly sensitive voicemails that had been intercepted," Harry said in a witness statement against News Group Newspapers.

"The institution was incredibly nervous about this and wanted to avoid at all costs the sort of reputational damage that it had suffered in 1993," he said, alluding to a transcript of a leaked recording — published in the Sunday Mirror — of an intimate conversation his father, then Prince of Wales, had with his paramour, now Queen Camilla, in which he compared himself to a tampon.

Harry said his brother, Prince William, had quietly settled his own hacking claims with News Group for "huge sum of money" in 2020. He also claimed his father had directed palace staff to order him to drop his litigation because it was bad for the family.

More:Prince William received 'large sum' settlement in 2020 phone hacking lawsuit

Murdoch's company denied there was a "secret agreement" and wouldn't comment on the alleged settlement. The palace hasn't responded to requests for comment.

Harry has alleged that reporters at the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People used illegal methods to gather material from his family and friends for nearly 150 articles. The newspaper has said he is wrong about how its reporters got information, saying they used legal methods for many articles.

In 2015, publishers of The Mirror printed a front-page apology for phone hacking and tripled its fund to 12 million pounds ($15 million) to compensate victims.

Mirror Group said more than 600 of some 830 claims had been settled. Of the remaining 104 cases, 86 were brought too late to be litigated, it said in court papers.

"Where historical wrongdoing has taken place, we have made admissions, take full responsibility and apologize unreservedly," a spokesperson for Mirror Group Newspapers said in advance of the trial. "But we will vigorously defend against allegations of wrongdoing where our journalists acted lawfully."

The lawsuits were combined as a test case that could determine the outcome of hacking claims also made against Mirror Group by former Girls Aloud member Cheryl, the estate of the late singer George Michael, and former soccer player Ian Wright.

Read all our King Charles coronation coverage:

Prince William: a life in pictures | The Week UK

Today is the 39th birthday of Prince William, the father-of-three who is second in line to the throne.

It has been a difficult year for the Duke of Cambridge, who not only lost his grandfather, Prince Philip, but has also had to navigate his brother’s move to Los Angeles and high-profile falling out with the Royal Family.

Back in March, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed to Oprah Winfrey that an unnamed member of what they dubbed “the firm” had discussed how dark their baby would be.

Meghan also told the TV host that a 2018 rumour that she had made Kate Middleton cry ahead of Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress fitting was untrue - and in fact the Duchess of Cambridge had been the one to leave the former Suits star in tears.

Kate will “be aware that this year has been tough for William and will want both his birthday and Father's Day to be special for him”, royal expert Katie Nicholl told OK! Magazine. Nicholl predicted that William would spend the day at Kensington Palace with his wife and children, George (seven), Charlotte (six) and Louis (three).

On Father’s Day, the day before William’s birthday, the Duke of Cambridge and his two eldest children thrilled participants of an inaugural race around the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk by making a surprise appearance.

“William, George and Charlotte arrived just before the half marathon got underway,” reports the Eastern Daily Press. “They walked to the stage holding hands, before sending runners on their way.”

William’s birthday had initially fallen on “freedom day” - the day the UK’s remaining lockdown restrictions had been set to ease and normality to resume.

But the rapid spread of the Delta variant and the UK’s increasing coronavirus infection rate has led the big day to be pushed to July 19 - meaning that the Duke of Cambridge will have to wait another four weeks before throwing any major birthday celebrations.

Queen Elizabeth surprises fans, waves from balcony at Platinum ...

Danica Kirka and Sylvia Hui

LONDON – In a crowning moment for her Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II appeared at the balcony of Buckingham Palace, delighting fans who had hoped to catch a glimpse of her during the final day of festivities marking the queen's 70 years on the throne.

The 96-year-old monarch has curtailed her schedule in recent months because of her mobility problems. Prior to Sunday, the queen had only appeared in public twice – both on Thursday – during the four-day holiday weekend celebrations. Officials said she experienced “discomfort” during those events.

The queen, dressed in bright green, waved and smiled after the crowds belted out “God Save the Queen.” Her appearance, which only lasted a few minutes, was followed by a crowd-pleasing performance of ABBA's “Dancing Queen.”

It was an uplifting finale to a massive street pageant celebrating the queen's life and highlighting Britain's diversity.

Thousands of people who massed outside the palace for the climax of a boisterous, colorful pageant cheered as the monarch appeared on the balcony with her son and heir, Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, and her eldest grandson Prince William and his family.

Afterward, the monarch issued a statement thanking all those who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee.

“When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first,” she said. “But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.

“While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family."

Sunday's pageant began with a spectacular military parade featuring 200 horses marching down The Mall to Buckingham Palace. They flanked the gold state coach, a gilded carriage that transported the queen to her coronation 69 years ago. A virtual version of her, drawn from archival video from her 1953 coronation, was shown at the coach’s windows.

After the pomp and pageantry came a melange of acts ranging from hip-hop and Bollywood dancers to drag queens and Mardi Gras-style floats. Some 6,000 performers paraded a route lined with a sea of Union flags, telling the story of the queen's life with dance, vintage cars, vibrant costumes, carnival music and giant puppets. Celebrities such as Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss were seen riding floats.

The pageant was watched by an estimated 1 billion people around the world, organizers say.

The keenest royal fans braved the wet, chilly weather and camped out on The Mall overnight to secure the best view of the pageant. Some came to see the celebrities who performed – like Ed Sheeran, who sang his song “Perfect” while a huge video screen showed pictures of the queen and her family – while others just wanted to be part of a historical moment.

“It’s part of history, it’s never going to happen again. It’s something special, so if you are going to do it you’ve got to go big or go home," said Shaun Wallen, 50.

The queen did not join her family in the royal box watching the pageant. Nor did Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, who made their first family trip to the U.K. since they stepped away from royal duties and moved to the U.S. in 2020. The couple has largely stayed out of the limelight during the Platinum Jubilee events.

Thousands of people ran out into The Mall after the parade ended in a bid to see the queen, filling the enormous expanse within minutes.

On Sunday, Charles and Camilla mingled with crowds at The Oval cricket ground in London for a Big Jubilee Lunch.

Millions of people across the country likewise set out long tables, balloons and picnic fare for similar patriotic street parties, gatherings welcomed after the long pandemic lockdowns of the past two years.

Queen Elizabeth adorably has tea with Paddington Bear at Buckingham Palace

Now we know what is in Queen Elizabeth II's handbag.

The long-time mystery was solved Saturday when the British monarch made the second star turn of her career, appearing in a mini-movie to kick off a concert celebrating her 70 years on the throne. The sketch featured the queen having a cream tea with British national treasure Paddington Bear at Buckingham Palace.

After drinking all the tea and destroying the cakes, the duffle coat-wearing bear told Elizabeth how he always had a reserve supply of marmalade sandwiches with him, lifting up his red hat to reveal his favorite treat.

“So do I,” the queen responded before opening her bag and declaring: “I keep mine in here.”

Platinum Jubilee begins:Queen Elizabeth II kicks off celebrations of 70-year monarchy with parade

The scene recalled the moment Elizabeth appeared as a Bond girl in a short film for the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.

“Her majesty is well known for her sense of humor, so it should be no surprise that she decided to take part in tonight’s sketch,” the palace said. “There was an interest in the filming and animation process and the opportunity to invite a famous bear to tea was just too much fun to miss.”

The queen’s performance with an animated bear drew laughter and loud applause from the overflow crowd at the concert outside Buckingham Palace that was the highlight of the third of four days of festivities celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. The 96-year-old monarch did not attend the concert in person due to what the palace describes as “episodic mobility issues.”

Platinum Jubilee concert:Adam Lambert, Queen and Paddington Bear perform for Queen Elizabeth

Despite the queen’s absence, spirits were high during an event that culminated with appearances by the monarch’s son and grandson. Prince Charles and his son Prince William paid tribute to the queen in separate speeches that honored the past and looked to the future.

Anne Middleton, 61, who traveled from Cardiff in Wales for the jubilee celebrations, said she loved the Paddington sketch and the queen’s decision to skip the event didn’t dim the festivities.

“Not for me,” she said, decked out from head to toe in the flags of the U.K. and Wales. “She turned up on the first day, and we know she would have been there if she could have been.”

Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee:Who performed at the Platinum Party? More questions answered

Charles opened his short speech by addressing the queen as “Your Majesty, Mummy,” then paid tribute to her “lifetime of selfless service.”

The queen’s eldest son and heir recalled the ever-growing list of world leaders Elizabeth has met and the endless stacks of state papers she has reviewed during a reign that has now stretched from the early days of the Cold War to the information age. But he also highlighted his mother’s role as a symbol of stability, unifying the U.K. and the Commonwealth as they negotiated this rapidly changing world.

“You have met us and talked with us. You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us, for these 70 years,” Charles said as scenes from the queen’s life were projected on the palace walls. “You pledged to serve your whole life – you continue to deliver. That is why we are here. That is what we celebrate tonight.”

William preceded his father with remarks that underscored the queen’s long-time commitment to the environment as he highlighted the need to combat climate change. The presentation began with a clip of the queen’s 1989 Christmas message, in which she called on all nations to work together to protect the earth for “our children and our children’s children.”

That message is still relevant today, William said.

More:Queen Elizabeth II poses for Platinum Jubilee picture to mark start of celebration

“It’s my firm hope that my grandmother’s words are as true in 70 years’ time as they are tonight, that as nations we come together in common cause, because then there is always room for hope.”

The queen has not attended any of the jubilee festivities since Thursday, when she waved to supporters from the balcony on Buckingham Palace.

The monarch also decided not to go to the Epsom Derby earlier Saturday, and was represented at the prestigious annual horse race by her daughter, Princess Anne.

The queen, known as a horse lover, has only missed the Epsom Derby a handful of times. On Saturday, five of her former racehorses were paraded, and 40 jockeys who have ridden for the queen formed a guard of honor before the national anthem was played.

“She’s been breeding horses for over 60 years,” Frankie Dettori, one of the jockeys, told the BBC. “She knows all the blood lines and she’s won lots of races and she’s very knowledgeable.”

“I’m sure today she’ll find a TV and she’s going to watch it live, because she loves the Derby so much,” he added.

Stonehenge honors Queen Elizabeth II:Monarch's portraits projected onto Stonehenge ahead of Platinum Jubilee

It was the second time in as many days that the queen’s mobility issues have robbed crowds of a chance to see her.

On Friday, the queen skipped a special service of Thanksgiving in her honor at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Palace officials said she had experienced “some discomfort” at events the day before, which included waving to huge crowds from Buckingham Palace.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were among nearly 50 members of the royal family who gathered Friday at St. Paul’s Cathedral to honor the absent head of state. It was the couple’s first public appearance in the U.K. since they stepped back from royal duties and moved to California two years ago.

Apart from attending Friday’s service, the couple has so far stayed out of the limelight. Their two children, Archie and Lilibet, who turned 1 on Saturday, haven’t yet made an appearance during this trip. A spokesperson for the couple said they were spending the day “privately” and were not joining some 30 other royals at Saturday’s concert.

Opinion:Why are Americans so into Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee? This doesn't feel right.

Meanwhile, members of the royal family traveled to Wales and Northern Ireland as part of celebrations across the U.K.

William and his wife Kate brought two of their three children – 8-year-old Prince George and 7-year-old Princess Charlotte – to Cardiff Castle in Wales before a separate concert in the castle grounds in honor of the queen.

The queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, visited a 1950s-themed seaside funfair in Belfast. Edward tried his hand at pulling a pint of Guinness at a diner, while Sophie took in a ’50s and ’60s dance demonstration.