Although their last official day as senior members of the royal family isn’t until March 31, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are carrying out their last public royal duty at the annual Commonwealth Day celebration. But even though they still have weeks until they step down, there’s one major difference in protocol this year.
Daily Mail correspondent Rebecca English confirmed today that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be part of Queen Elizabeth’s Commonwealth Day processional through Westminster Abbey at the start of the services. In years past, the 35-year-old prince and 38-year-old duchess have been included in the processional. (Remember, pregnant Markle wore a white Victoria Beckham getup last year and sang “God Save the Queen” in 2018.)
This year, however, the duo will be escorted to their seats instead of waiting for the queen to arrive and walking into the Abbey in line with the 93-year-old monarch and other senior members of the royal family.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aren’t the only ones experiencing a little Commonwealth Day switch-up today. According to English, neither Prince William nor Kate Middleton will join the processional either. Like Harry and Meghan, they’ll be shown to their seats immediately instead.
