Cheers and some jeers as Prince Harry and Meghan return to UK

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) – Prince Harry and his spouse Meghan have been greeted with cheers and a few jeers as they joined the royal household at a thanksgiving service on Friday for Queen Elizabeth, their first public look collectively in Britain since quitting royal duties

Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, joined different senior royals on the service at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, the most recent occasion in Platinum Jubilee celebrations marking the queen’s 70 years on the throne. L1N2XQ0AA

The couple moved to the US two years in the past to guide a extra impartial life, and stay in a mansion in California with their two younger kids Archie and daughter Lilibet, who was named after Queen Elizabeth, her great-grandmother.

Harry and Meghan have grow to be divisive figures in Britain, with some Britons and lots of media shops pouring scorn on their transfer and their business actions, akin to placing a take care of international streaming service Netflix, although others regard them as a breath of recent air for the tradition-bound monarchy.

There have been loud cheers and a few boos as they arrived on the cathedral on Friday, whereas the eyes of the congregation have been fastened on them as they walked to their seats.

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The couple, who had stated they have been “excited and honoured” to attend the Platinum Jubilee occasions, made headlines with a bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in March final yr when Meghan, who’s biracial, accused an unnamed royal of racism and Harry stated his household had reduce them off financially.

Their relationship with the opposite royals has been frosty since then, most notably with Harry’s elder brother Prince William. Harry’s criticisms of his household have continued for the reason that Oprah interview and there was no apparent interplay between the brothers at Friday’s service.

Harry has been embroiled in a authorized dispute with the British authorities, which won’t enable him to pay for police safety when he’s in Britain. Though he returned to Britain in April final yr for the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip, the queen’s husband, he didn’t attend a current memorial service due to the safety situation.

Nonetheless, the couple met the queen at Windsor Fort in April on their first personal journey to Britain since quitting royal duties. A palace supply has stated Harry, Meghan and his kids remained “a lot cherished family members”.

Media experiences recommended the 96-year-old queen, who missed Friday’s service as a consequence of her ongoing mobility points, had lastly met Lilibet for the primary time on Thursday, although a palace supply described this as full hypothesis.

Harry stated he had stepped again from his royal duties as a result of the “poisonous” British press had been destroying his psychological well being, and he and Meghan, who’ve efficiently sued one tabloid and refuse to interact with others, have grow to be figures of ridicule and scorn for a lot of newspapers.

A YouGov ballot this week recommended the couple’s recognition with the general public had hit a brand new low, with Harry having a internet favourability rating of -26 and Meghan -42.

Solely Prince Andrew, who in February paid to settle a U.S. lawsuit during which he was accused of sexually abusing an underage woman, had a decrease rating among the many royals.

However gathered outdoors St Paul’s, some royal followers stated seeing the couple could be a spotlight.

“It is good to see folks of color as a result of it reveals extra variety and I feel that is one thing that can assist make the world a greater place,” stated Bella Bigord, 13.

Reporting by Michael Holden and Lucy Marks
Enhancing by Gareth Jones

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