Friday 6 May 2022

Happy Birthday, Archie, a Special Fundraiser, the Sussexes to Attend Jubilee & Harry Back in the Saddle

Hello hello, dear readers,

We have several topics to chat about today (including news on the Jubilee), but first, I know you'll all join me in wishing Archie a very happy third birthday. Harry and Meghan's son is celebrating the day with his parents, sister Lili, and I'm sure grandmother Doria and close friends, too.

As with previous birthdays, a number of supporters of the Sussexes have been working behind the scenes to create a fundraiser marking both Archie's and Lili's birthdays in support of World Central Kitchen. Archewell works closely with the organization, and amid the ongoing devastation in Ukraine, their work on the ground has never been more necessary or appreciated.

More from the fundraising page on World Central Kitchen's fundraising site:

 'We're celebrating! Join our month long party to mark Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor's 3rd birthday on May 6 and Lili Diana Mountbatten-Windsor's 1st birthday on June 4.

In honor of these special little ones, we're raising money in support of World Central Kitchen (WCK), an organization using the power of food to nourish communities in crisis and strengthen economies around the world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Chef Relief Team mobilizes to the front lines with the urgency of now to start cooking and provide meals to people in need.

"I love them. I have been able to spend time with them, working with them and they are very hands-on and highly knowledgeable of what's happening in the world, what the issues are, and what the needs are. For me, it is a pleasure to call them friends." - Chef José Andrés'

To give you a glimpse into the horrific scenes in Ukraine and the vital role WCK are playing -- just yesterday morning a missile was fired in Kramatorsk leaving a huge crater in its wake. The team were not only there with hot meals, but also bandaged the wounded, helped get people to safety, and offered support in any way they could.

The fundraiser began today, and quite incredibly (as of publishing) has already surpassed $27,000 in donations. Please click here if you would like to offer your support.

I think it's very special indeed to see this legacy of supporting others most in need continuing alongside Archie (and now Lili's) birthdays. To celebrate the birthday of a child by helping another such as three-year-old Katya from Mykolaiv, living with their families in unimaginable circumstances, is the greatest and kindest gift one can give.


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We are now less than a month away from the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed they, along with Archie and Lili, are "excited and honoured" to attend the celebrations in June. I felt personally for some time that Harry and Meghan would want to attend to mark the historic occasion in Her Majesty's reign. Equally, and sadly, there's been a sharp decline in the Queen's health and mobility over the past six months and it's another important opportunity to spend time with her and of course for Her Majesty to see Archie and meet namesake Lilibet. Indeed, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a christening during the week. Following a brief return to Windsor before the Invictus Games, a conversation on the jubilee was obviously had, and it's long been said it's the Queen's wish to have the entire family there. The security issue was at the crux of obstacles, but I expect that has been remedied for the visit next month. The visit will mark the first UK public appearances the Duke and Duchess have made jointly since the Commonwealth Day service in March 2020.


The Jubilee weekend kicks off on Thursday, 2 June with Trooping the Colour. We will not see the Sussexes attend this one as the Queen has decided only "currently working royals" will appear. A Palace spokesperson said: "After careful consideration, the Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance on Thursday, 2nd June will be limited to Her Majesty and those members of the Royal family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the Queen."

When will we see the Duke and Duchess? Below, are a selection of events we're going to see immediate and extended family, working and non-working royals, attend, so I would pencil in the following as very likely:

Friday, 3 June - St Paul’s Cathedral will hold a historic Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s reign on the morning of Friday, 3rd June. The Service will include Bible readings, anthems, prayers and congregational hymns, expressing thankfulness for the Queen’s reign, faith and service; desire to foster unity and peace amongst all peoples; and commitment to care for God’s creation. The Service will include a new anthem by Judith Weir, Master of the Queen’s Music, that sets to music words from the third chapter of the Book of Proverbs.


Saturday, 4 June - The Queen and members of the Royal family are due to attend the Derby at Epsom Downs. It's important to say it's possible Her Majesty may not be able to attend all of the events. I imagine contingencies are ready if that's the case and a large gathering of family members will be at each event.

That evening, the Platinum Party at the Palace: hosts Kirsty Young and Roman Kemp will lead live coverage of the Platinum Party at the Palace and air live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and across the BBC network from 8.00pm to 10.30pm. The celebration will see famous faces from the world of entertainment brought together to perform for a night of musical tributes to celebrate the Jubilee. Below, a first look at staging for the event.

Sunday, 5 June - The day will kick off with the Big Jubilee Lunches and over 60K people registered to host street parties, BBQs and get togethers to celebrate the occasion. Buckingham Palace said: "Over ten million people across the UK are expected to be joining the celebrations to share friendship, food and fun at Big Jubilee Lunches as part of this nationwide act of community friendship. People across the world are also joining in with over 600 international Big Jubilee Lunches being planned throughout the Commonwealth and beyond - from Canada to Brazil, New Zealand to Japan and South Africa to Switzerland."

Finally, the weekend will culminate with the Platinum Jubilee Pageant. The Gold State Carriage, led by the Sovereign’s Escort, will lead the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, embracing the latest in digital technology to evoke the excitement and majesty of her journey to be crowned 70 years ago. The Pageant, which starts at 2.30pm and finishes with a finale at the Queen Victoria Memorial ending at 5pm, will serve as an opportunity to gather and pay tribute to Her Majesty. It will culminate with the singing of the national anthem, ‘God Save the Queen’, by a gospel choir to the sounds of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. The Pageant will bring to life iconic moments from the Queen’s reign as well as showcasing our changing society over the past 70 years. 10,000 people are involved, including the military, over 6,000 volunteers, performers, key workers and 2,500 members of the general public. A "fabulous surprise" has been promised for the event.


The Queen's health permitting, it has been widely rumoured for some time a second balcony appearance or large family gathering with all members of the family will take place after the pageant.


To visit the Queen's Platinum Jubilee website, please click here. I can see visits to Smart Works and Well Child on the agenda too, and as I said, potentially Lili's christening.

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Finally, Prince Harry is back in the white trousers for the polo season in Santa Barbara. Harry made his debut with his Los Padres teammates, including Nacho Figueras, in aid of causes close to their hearts last weekend.

Meghan was on hand to cheer for Harry, surrounded by friends including Markus Anderson.

Meghan wore Everlane's Silky Cotton Relaxed shirt (with thanks to Meghan's Closet Chronicles). It's available in multiple colours on Everlane's website.


The Duchess wore her Madewell x Biltmore Panama hat.

And Diana's Cartier Tank watch and Chanel flats.

40 comments:

  1. Happy birthday Archie, God bless all those supporting WCK

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  2. Nice to see Meghan with friends, for the haters in UK seek help before is too late cos this is getting out of hand

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  3. Allison in US7 May 2022 at 01:31

    I am floating with happiness! I'm so glad the family is going o the UK for this long event; I also think it is a great idea to use the balcony for just "business." H&M are like the rest of the cousins and the restriction will allow the desired focus on the heirs. I imagine H&M, Beatrice, Eugenie, and Anne's children will pop up at various events. I am hoping for a portrait (maybe a christening) of the family with the Queen and perhaps Charles. Thank you for showing the Gold State Coach -- it is beautiful!! And nothing makes me happier than to see Meghan with her good friends, such as Markus. I will give -- I hope the World Central Kitchen receives a lot of donations. When their kitchen was hit, I was sure the Sussexes would help them rebuild.

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  4. I suspect that the decision about the balcony was made so that Andrew wouldn’t be the only one left out. How horrible that as a consequence Harry, Meghan, Eugenie, Beatrice, and other members of the family won’t get to be up there with HM for such a historic moment.

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    1. I also think it was because of Andrew but it will be nice to not have so many people crowded on the balcony.

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    2. I agree for your comment 💯💯

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    3. Because those mentioned Aren't working Royals! Per the Queen!

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    4. The particular event that the Queen has deemed is for working royals is the first balcony which is a state affair and the decision was on behalf of the people and the monarchy. This is a show of the monarchy, the past, the present and the future. The Queen has set in this one instance separated her feelings as a mother and a grandmother to establish a criteria of 'working' royals only and drew a line; much of her family will not be present at this particular event. There are several other affairs throughout the Jubilee that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are invited to attend as well as the other members of the Queen's family. Harry and Meghan are not the only family, Eugenie, Beatrice, Peter, Zara, and their children aren't on the balcony and have a chance to join in as family members as has already been made clear. Besides, there is the final balcony event that perhaps all the family will be invited to attend. There is no snub here, just the Queen setting the parameters to focus on the working royals as it stands today as well as avoid criticism and speculation of 'body language' that will be analyzed ad nauseum if all were present. This event is NOT about Harry and Meghan, but a celebration of a nation for their Queen, the focus is as it should be. I am very sure Charlotte will do an excellent job of covering any of the events involving Harry and Meghan.

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    5. Susan in Florida10 May 2022 at 04:41

      For all we know, it could have been a mutual decision so the whole family isn’t analyzed for every micro movement they make at that moment. While the public would love to see all of them, the occasion is about the Queen and the monarchy.

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  5. Happy Birthday Archie!! 🎉🎂🐥🚁🚀

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  6. Happy birthday to Archie. God bless you and your family 🥮🌺🌸🐓🐔We love you H&M

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  7. Truly admirable that to mark both Archie's and Lili's birthdays, funds are being raised in support of World Central Kitchen

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  8. Now the UK media are wallying about Sussex making the jubilee themselves while these couple are just going about their business. Watch out same set of people crucifying the Sussex left and right will soon bite all those fueling this evil narrative, I wish Sussex a peaceful stay in the UK

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  9. Happy birthday Archie! Really neat conjunction between the children's birthdates & World Kitchen. Excited to see the Sussexes back in the UK. Interested to see what Meghan chooses to wear at the horse race! Wonder if the children will be seen in public? Hope for a photo but don't think we'll see Archie or Lili (don't blame them). Great post Charlotte! -op

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  10. I don’t really understand this hand wringing about the balcony appearance. People are conflating the trooping the colour and the jubilee. The last jubilee balcony appearance in 2012 featured 6 people. This isn’t a big deal and I’ve grown rather tired of the media manipulating any minor thing involving the Sussex's into a days long scandal.

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  11. Happy Birthday to Archie. Thanks for the great post, Charlotte.

    R

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  12. I love Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry and when you show love and compassion like they do it's always good to see

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  13. Happy birthday Archie and Lili

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  14. HAPPY BDAY LILI AND ARCHIE!! I hope we get to see the little kids when they are in the UK!. I am so glad they are going to support the Queen. I am sad they can't be on the balcony for the first appearance but I hope we will see them on the balcony for the second balcony appearance. I hope you are right Charlotte about Lili's christening! I hope this Jubilee will do a lot to mend any hurts between William, HM and Charles with Harry and Meghan. I can't wait to see Meghan shining in her beautiful outfits and gorgeous smile.
    I hope the Queen gets stronger I am sad we may soon lose her as she is the rock keeping that family together. I doubt we will ever see another head of state like her or Queen of England. She is one of a kind jewel!

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  15. The last Jubilee featured only the direct heirs (and their spouses) on the balcony, so why would anyone expect Harry to be included this year, when he was not included previously? Surely the Sussex’ know their place in the pecking order, and it is the media who is trying to stir things up, not the, Sussex’.

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  16. Would you double check the brand of the striped shirt? In the close up (on twitter), it appears to me that the shirt has a left breast pocket...? Thank you!

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  17. Thank you and good to know Charlotte 🙏.
    Happy birthday to little Archie🎂, he looks so cute.
    I wish the Sussex family a wonderful, peaceful and successful stay in the United Kingdom for this jubilee. I say thank you in advance to Charlotte for all the work she will have to cover for her blogs which I am already looking forward to reading.💝

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    1. i echo the congratulations about Charlotte's amazing ability to keep this blog going which must be increasingly difficult with the lack of recent photographs of the duo. I am unsure how their public relations team can continue to promote them when they are so adverse to any public appearances. Personal privacy seems to be winning out over their desire to push their favourite projects. Unfortunately it is inevitable that their popularity will be affected which may lesson their ability to recruit support for worthy causes. This must be causing some worries about how to move forward.

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  18. Thank you and good to know Charlotte 🙏.
    Happy birthday to little Archie🎂, he looks so cute.
    I wish the Sussex family a wonderful, peaceful and successful stay in the United Kingdom for this jubilee. I say thank you in advance to Charlotte for all the work she will have to cover for her blogs which I am already looking forward to reading.💝

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  19. Very Happy Birthday Archie & Lili! And Congratulations to Harry and Meghan who overcame so many obstacles to bring their precious family to a safe, loving community! Love this Birthday x2 fundraiser for an amazing organization.
    Fun scenes from polo! Renee

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  20. Allison in US8 May 2022 at 22:35

    When I retreat from the horrors of the world, I like to guess what Meghan (and Kate) will be wearing at various events. It seems the venues may range from picnics to evening wear, and both women have their "standards" and their surprises, so it's pretty hard to predict even colors. The spin of course ranges from H&M snubbing the Queen if they don't go to making the entire jubilee about them if they do go, so we'll just have to ignore all that. And I'm at the point where the brothers' lack of closeness seems rooted in their birth and upbringing, with nothing to do with their excellent wives. Poor W was told so early that he was important and H was told so early that he wasn't -- obvious unhappy childhoods and being boarded at such an early age. I hope this musing is OK to state -- I plan on enjoying every royal appearance of every RF member during the jubilee. I do wish, though, that people would wait until the Queen actually passes away to talk about it so much -- I mean tabloids, not this blog. My aunt just turned 100 and had a lovely birthday with her children and some great-grandchildren. We just enjoy that she is with us.

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    1. How can we even surmise what William and Harry were told growing up? I do think that the beauty of following this blog that Charlotte does such a wonderful job presenting to us, is in avoiding all the 'tabloid' headlines and venturing into speculation of which we really know nothing. This is our time to truly enjoy this celebration of Her Majesty the Queen and the fact that all her family will be together to share with her following, what truly has been a horrible year for her. I would entreaty all of us to be tolerant of everybody's opinions, but that we refrain from negativity and harsh criticism....it's a time of celebration, one that we may never seen again in our lifetime.

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    2. Thank you Allison for keeping it real. You can’t sweep away family strife or the exploitative UK royal press’ racism and misogyny when discussing the royal family. These problems were problematic long before Meghan appeared on the scene.

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  21. A wonderful summary of what is known to be happening. I'm so glad everyone in the family will have chances to celebrate their beloved Mum, grandmother, Ganny auntie, whatever for her amazing lifetime and its achievements! May all enjoy the festivities. We will all enjoy following here on Charlotte's fantastic blog! Thank you as always, dear Charlotte.

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  22. YEA! I'm happy to see that H&M (with Archie and Lili) will be in London for the Jubilee. Definitely hoping for a christening so that a formal portrait will be released. That might be the only opportunity to see their kids.

    I am confused about who is actually a "working royal". I thought the entire family always rode in carriages to BP. Beatrice and Eugenie (and their father), Sophie and Edward, etc. I did google for the photos of the balcony with HM, PC/DC and PW/Kate (Kate's in the McQueen Nude Lace dress - is that right?). But is the procession a separate event from the balcony appearance?

    It would be wonderful to see Harry and Wills play polo together as well. Hopefully Harry and Meghan will stay (or come early) to see everyone and give all the kids a chance to get to know each other.

    And Meg, if you are reading this and need help selecting beautiful British designers, we are all happy to help. Hoping I don't see you in Valentino for these events. :-)

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    1. Beatrice and Eugenie have never been working members of the Royal family so we mostly see them at church services with the Queen and at other family events. (plus the odd paparazzi photo!) This will almost certainly continue as the Queen can hardly promote them over their father. Prince Andrew was previously treated as a senior Royal, but now he has been demoted he will no longer ride in carriages or on horseback at the Trooping of the Colour. it would be surprising to see him appear on the Balcony at Buckingham Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have also been downgraded from those events because they decided to step down as working Royals. This leaves the Prince of Wales with his wife, the Cambridge duo, the it Wessex family and Princess Anne in the remaining core group. Those on the margin like the Kents and the Gloucesters are ageing and will probably be retiring at some stage, depending on the need for extra bodies to share the work load. If needed it would be better to use the next generation down for this work. The dilemma for the future Monarch will be how many of the family elders he can afford to subsidise once they are ineligible to be counted as working for the British Taxpayer. This of course will include Prince Andrew and his ex wife who appear to be financially reliant on the present Queen.

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    2. Meghan is free to wear whomever she wishes

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  23. Susan in Florida9 May 2022 at 19:37

    I love that H&M chose WCK to help Ukraine 🇺🇦. It was our first choice as well when we were researching where best to donate. The Jubilee week sounds exciting. I’m very happy to see H&M will be there. Charlotte, make sure you take time to enjoy it. I hope you get to be part of The Big Jubilee Lunch in your neighborhood.

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  24. It appears to me that Daily Fail has now begun to photoshop photos of Meghan, giving her unattractive expressions that she has never displayed.

    R

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  25. Great to see them “out & about” looking forward to the jubilee. I am interested in the idea that Lili could be christened while in the UK. It’s true here in the US christening is generally practiced in the Catholic Church, most Protestant churches do not (feel free to correct me) Evangelical churches practice baptism when a person is old enough to make the decision themselves. While IMO Meghan & Harry seem like spiritual people, I doubt they feel tied to the screed of any denomination. I would be very surprised if they have Lili christened while they are they, in the UK or they may do it very privately.

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  26. I don't know about the United States but most mainline Christians practise infant baptism and Harry would certainly normally follow suit. Meghan would have to have been baptised and confirmed to be married in an Anglican Church ceremony. The Archbishop of Canterbury would not have officiated otherwise. Harry has been brought up as an Anglican and this church definitely baptises children as babies as do Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans and other Christian denominations. It is not just Catholic and Orthodox which do so. Meghan and Harry may have already had both children privately baptised or christened as some prefer to call it.

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  27. Thinking of Harry and Meghan today and wishing them a Very Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary.

    I recently re-found this poem, and thought of Harry and Meghan.

    If....  by Rudyard Kipling
       
    If you can keep your head when all about you
      Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
    If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
      But make allowance for their doubting too:
    If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
      Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
    Or being hated don't give way to hating,
      And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

    If you can dream — and not make dreams your master;
      If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim,
    If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
      And treat those two impostors just the same:.
    If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
      Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
    Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
      And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

    If you can make one heap of all your winnings
      And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
    And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
      And never breathe a word about your loss:
    If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
      To serve your turn long after they are gone,
    And so hold on when there is nothing in you
      Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

    If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
      Or walk with Kings — nor lose the common touch,
    If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
      If all men count with you, but none too much:
    If you can fill the unforgiving minute
      With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
    Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
      And which is more: you'll be a Man, my son!

    R

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  28. What an apt poem for the situation faced by Prince Harry and Meghan . Thank you for sharing.

    I believe the British media along with their royal commentators, journalists , royal experts etc. , opened the Pandora's box in their treatment of Meghan when she joined the royal family.

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  29. The new amount donated is now over $63,000. H&M always select very deserving and often lesser known causes to support which I praise them for (posted by celticgirl)

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Welcome to Mad About Meghan! We do so look forward to reading your thoughts. Constructive, fair debate is always encouraged. Hateful, derogatory terms and insults are not welcome here. This space focuses on Harry and Meghan, not any other member of the Royal family. It's not the place to discuss politics either. Thank you for reading, we look forward to your comments :)