Royal Family turned out in force for Queen at Jubilee thanksgiving service - but all eyes were on Harry and Meghan
They obviously won't have liked it but everyone was watching Harry and Meghan, it was eyes ahead as they walked up the steps, the reaction from the crowd was mixed, some boos but countered by cheers.
Friday 3 June 2022 16:39, UK
As the bells chimed for 11 o'clock everywhere you looked were members of the Royal Family.
With the Queen resting at Windsor, her relatives had turned out in force for the service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.
But inevitably two were always going to stand out.
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It was the first time we've seen Harry and Meghan with the rest of the family since it all went wrong and they stepped away from royal life.
They obviously won't have liked it but everyone was watching, it was eyes ahead as they walked up the steps, the reaction from the crowd was mixed, some boos but countered by cheers.
It was obvious that Harry was keen to make sure Meghan was okay, gesturing to her to check that her dress collar was okay, pointing out a potential trip hazard as they walked in, a devoted husband looking out for his wife.
Despite arriving soon after Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, they were given their own moment to walk down the aisle.
Don't forget these events are always heavily choreographed and nothing happens by chance with the royals, you got the sense this was the Queen showing they were very welcome.
They eventually took their seats, looking relaxed and chatting, next to Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret's daughter.
Outside the cheers went up for William and Kate, followed quickly by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Both couples walking down the aisle together.
Yes, Prince Charles had stepped in to represent the Queen but the image of him walking with Prince William, and both their wives, was a signal of how they are all jointly taking on the responsibilities of the monarch.
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And taking front-row seats alongside them, the Queen's other children, Anne and Edward and their spouses - another pat on the back for those working on the Queen's behalf.
Harry and Meghan were sat in the adjacent aisle, placed at a distance from his father and brother, a contrast to the last big event where they both joined the Royal Family, the Commonwealth Day service in March 2020.
That occasion was a field day for those looking at their body language, no one wanted a repeat of that, not least the Queen, who we are told was watching at home.