Why Are Meghan, Harry, or Andrew Not Invited to Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Balcony Celebrations?

The decision to invite certain members of the royal family to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations on the Buckingham Palace balcony is a complex affair. One of the primary reasons for this exclusion is the shift in status and role of who qualifies as a 'working royal' within the family structure.

Criteria for a 'Working Royal'

For individuals to be considered part of the royal family and participate in such grand events, certain criteria must be met. These individuals must fulfill roles that contribute directly to the functioning and representation of the monarchy. More specifically, the qualification includes:

A Working Royal: A working royal is expected to actively engage in duties and public appearances that support the monarchy’s operations. This often includes international tours, state visits, and community activities. On the Balcony: To stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony during such events, a royal must be a part of the core working family who are directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the monarchy.

The Status of Harry, Meghan, and Andrew

Harry, Meghan, and Andrew are no longer considered working royals. Their decision to step back from their royal duties in 2020 signifies a significant shift in their roles within the family. This does not diminish their royal status, but it changes their responsibilities. Here’s why they were not invited:

1. Not Working Royal Any Longer

When the Royal Knights stepped back from their royal duties in 2020, it marked a clear delineation between the working and non-working royals. Harry and Meghan, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, no longer have the same level of involvement and obligations to the monarchy:

Official Duties: They are no longer required to perform official duties or attend state functions for the monarchy. Public Appearances: Their appearances are now limited to those they choose to make.

2. Protocol and Respect

The decision to exclude them from the balcony during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations also reflects a broader protocol around the monarchy. The public and tabloids’ constant demands for royal involvement in every aspect of public life can sometimes overshadow the traditional roles and rules of the monarchy:

The slobbering public and tabloids that inform them decided that it’s ghastly to not be a working royal, so they pressured the Queen to behave as though it is. However, this pressure forgets that it insults the majority of the royal family when they insist that not being a working royal is awful.

3. The Platinum Jubilee Context

During the Platinum Jubilee, the focus was on the Queen and the King, with the primary responsibility lying with the Duke of Cambridge (Prince William) and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton). This is a reflection of the traditional family hierarchy and the roles assigned by royal protocol:

Primary Royal in Charge: Prince William, as the eldest child of the current monarch and his future role as King, had a crucial role during the celebrations. Secondary Role: Harry, Meghan, and Andrew, despite their ties to the royal family, did not hold the same level of responsibility or purely ceremonial role during the event.

Conclusion

The exclusion of Harry, Meghan, and Andrew from the Buckingham Palace balcony during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebration is a clear reflection of the changing dynamics within the royal family and the traditional roles and responsibilities associated with working royals. The royal family’s focus remains on the core working royal members who are actively involved in supporting the monarchy’s operations and representation.

There may be many different reasons why certain members are invited, but the criteria for being on the balcony during such significant national events is based on active involvement and a willingness to fulfill the duties required of those who stand as representatives of the monarchy.