Harry and Meghan miss star-studded Queen's jubilee concert and host their own party

London, UK - Million of fans and more than 30 members of the royal family gathered for the Platinum Party at the Palace on Saturday night – but the duke and duchess of Sussex were missing.

Projections were shows over Buckingham Palace at Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Platinum Party at the Palace concert on Saturday in London. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (inset) were at the first birthday party of their daughter.
Projections were shows over Buckingham Palace at Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Platinum Party at the Palace concert on Saturday in London. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (inset) were at the first birthday party of their daughter.  © Collage: REUTERS & KIRSTY O'CONNOR / POOL / AFP

Among the royal attendees at Saturday’s star-studded live Platinum Jubilee concert, staged in front of Buckingham Palace, were Prince Charles and Prince William – who made speeches to the crowd – and their wives Camilla and Kate.

The huge concert in central London was opened by Queen + Adam Lambert, and accompanied thousands of street parties across the UK that highlighted the biggest night of the four-day celebration commemorating the Queen's 70th year on the throne. 13.4 million viewers watched the concert from home on the BBC.

It also featured performances from Duran Duran, Craig David, Alicia Keys, and Sir Rod Stewart, among others.

Diana Ross closed out the night by urging the crowd of spectators to thank the Queen for her service, as an image of a disco ball and the words "Thank you" were projected onto Buckingham Palace.

The Queen herself has been experiencing mobility problems, and did not attend the event, as has been the case with much of the weekend's festivities.

Also not in attendance were Harry and Meghan, whose daughter Lilibet celebrated her first birthday on Saturday. The couple instead threw a party of their own.

Meghan and Harry miss the festivities for another party - their own

Thousands of people gathered at The Mall to attend the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace on Saturday as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations.
Thousands of people gathered at The Mall to attend the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace on Saturday as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations.  © NIKLAS HALLE'N / POOL / AFP

A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020, said they were spending the day privately.

The Sun reported that Harry and Meghan "held an informal garden party at Frogmore Cottage, on the royal estate, with a birthday cake, balloons, party games and picnic snacks."

"It was a lovely do and had everything you’d expect from a child’s birthday party. But there was no formal entertainment. The idea was for it to be very relaxed and casual, with people free to pop in and out as they wished. It was a nice opportunity for the other royal children to meet Lilibet for the first time," the insider spilled.

Prince William and Kate, nor their children, attended.

On Friday, Harry and Meghan made their first public appearance alongside the Windsors since they stepped down amid the Megxit storm.

They joined scores of family members at the special Jubilee service of thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral, but sat in the second row and far across the aisle from Charles, William and Kate.

They also missed a Guildhall reception for the royals afterwards.

Cover photo: Collage: REUTERS & KIRSTY O'CONNOR / POOL / AFP

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