And just like that, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend is complete—but not without a few surprises.
Indeed, the four-day royal spectacle we all just witnessed wasn’t one that comes around often, so when it did, every eyeball with even the slightest interest in the royal family was watching.
That’s why the smallest, blink and you’ll miss it moments were noticed—eventually. From the secret Lilibet convention to a surprise pregnancy reveal that almost slipped under the radar, here, we unpack five moments from the Queen’s Jubilee weekend you mightn’t have spotted the first time around.
Pippa Middleton is pregnant with her third baby
On Saturday evening, the royals showed up in full force for the Platinum Party At The Palace, which featured a lineup of iconic musicians who had the royals (and 10,000 other lucky guests) on their feet dancing, laughing and soaking in the celebratory atmosphere. But between the cute moments shared between Wills and young Prince George, or the brilliant clip of the Queen and Paddington Bear’s sandwich exchange, there was another major moment that happened very subtly.
Hidden in the crowd was Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of Kate, who looked stunning in a green fitted dress with her sweet baby bump on show.
Yep, it appears the royal did a Blake Lively on us and announced her third pregnancy to the world by letting her bump do the talking—and we love that for her. Pippa and her husband James Matthews also share two kids, Arthur, three, and Grace, one.
Louis’ meme-worthy performance, continued
You might have noticed Prince Louis’ exasperated face on the balcony of Buckingham Palace covering his ears and yelling all over social media after his attendance at the Trooping The Colour parade, but what we didn’t expect was for that same meme-worthy behaviour to repeat at another event.
On Sunday, the royals attended the Platinum Pageant where Louis was seen with his mum Kate. At four years old, you can’t blame the kid for being a bit bored, a bit wriggly and, well, a whole mood. The pictures spoke for themselves on this one.
The Queen backed out of an event at the last minute
Late on Thursday, the palace issued a statement saying the Queen would duck out of Friday morning’s Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The statement came shortly after the Trooping The Colour celebrations had ended, with the palace noting that the Queen had “greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and flypast” but that she did experience some “discomfort”.
At 96 years old, we’re ever impressed with the Queen’s continued dedication and charisma, so it’s no wonder (and well, well deserved) for her to take a break when she needs it.
The service itself was no less special despite her absence—William, Kate, Harry, Meghan and more royals reunited for the first time in years, all to pay their respects to Her Majesty.
A significant royal first for George, Charlotte and Louis
The annual Trooping the Colour parade is always a major event in any royal calendar, but this year’s was particularly significant given that it aligned with the Queen’s 70th year as Sovereign.
And to make it all the more special, the carriage procession into the palace included a special spot for the children of Kate and William—Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
This marked the first time the young royals have ever attended the procession—they were carefully watched over by their mum Kate who had clearly given them the lowdown on protocol. At one point, all three of them were seen bowing their heads as they passed the Colour of the Irish Guards. A poignant, sweet moment that was over in the blink of an eye.
Lilibet and the Queen finally meet
Meghan and Harry welcomed their baby girl, Lilbet, in June 2021, but due to Covid-19 restrictions the couple have limited their travel to the UK from their home base in the US. This has meant that the Queen has never met her great granddaughter… Until now.
Indeed, Harry and Meghan flew to the UK with their two kids, Archie, three, and little Lilibet, and according to Entertainment Tonight, the latter met the Queen—her namesake—for the first time following Thursday’s Trooping The Colour event.
The Sussexes attended the parade but didn’t step out publicly, as the carriage procession and balcony flyover featured working royals only. Instead, they watched from the palace windows with their two kids.
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