For the second year in a row, the Trooping the Colour celebration for Queen Elizabeth's birthday will not go as planned in June 2021 due to the pandemic, according to Buckingham Palace.
Palace officials confirmed that they are doing a scaled-down event instead, which will be held at Windsor Castle just like in 2020. Also not pushing through is the annual Order of the Garter service as both events entail a large gathering of people.
The officials said that the decision was made after consulting with government officials and relevant parties if it will be safe to have the event this year. The U.K.'s COVID-19 cases have been slowly dropping due to the vaccine rollout but large crowds will still put the public at risk.
Details of the "mini Trooping" have not yet been released but last year's event saw the queen watching the parade in her honor from a socially-distanced platform at Windsor Castle. Trooping the Colour happens every June but Queen Elizabeth was actually born in April. She is turning 95 years old this year.
The pompous event usually sees all members of the royal family gathering at the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry was supposed to fly back to London for this year's parade. With the cancellation confirmed, and with the birth of his second child with Meghan Markle this summer, the Duke of Sussex is likely not returning home as anticipated.
Meanwhile, sources at the Palace said the queen is not angry at Harry and Meghan after their interview with Oprah Winfrey. The insider said that Queen Elizabeth is more sad than angry because she is protective of Harry and has always supported what makes him happy.
Harry told Oprah that he's had more conversations with his grandmother when he stepped back from his royal role and moved to California with his wife. The couple spoke highly of the queen and denied that she was blindsided by their decision to quit their jobs as working royals.
Following the interview, Queen Elizabeth released a 61-word statement saying that the Harry and Meghan "will always be much loved." However, insiders said that the phrase "some recollections may vary" was a jab at the couple who claimed that racism within the family was partly what pushed them to move away.
Prince William, Harry's older brother, answered that his family is not racist when the press asked him at one royal engagement. Sources also said that Prince Charles is deeply upset with Harry and Markle after they revealed their gripes about the institution despite saying that they have much respect for Queen Elizabeth, who heads the institution.
