Prince Harry takes two-year-old Lilibet to the Fourth of July parade, hours before the King’s Scottish coronation
Princess Lilibet is pictured with Prince Harry during an Independence Day parade in Montecito just hours before her grandfather, King Charles III, attended his second coronation ceremony in Edinburgh.
The Duke of Sussex seemed to underline his retirement from The Firm when he took her to the celebration in California on July 4, when the US marked its independence from British rule.
But as he showed two-year-old Lilibet the Montecito Association’s Village Road Show, his father, King Charles, was preparing for one of the most important moments of his reign: a second coronation in the land that his beloved second son would one day call home. called out.
Accompanied by family members, including Prince Harry’s own brother Prince William, the King and Queen Camilla were honored at a prestigious event at St Giles’ Cathedral attended by senior royals. But the duke himself was nowhere to be seen.
Prince Harry attended his father’s official coronation, the UK’s first in 70 years, but was on British soil for just a few hours before returning to the US to celebrate his son Archie’s birthday, which fell on the same day .
Prince Harry carries daughter Lilibet as they enjoy a father-daughter outing on July 4 near his home in Montecito
The Duke of Sussex kept a low profile as he stood among the crowds celebrating Independence Day in the US
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, the Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay while in Scotland, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh on Wednesday
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex previously released this photo of Lilibet at Frogmore Cottage, where she celebrated her first birthday
His American wife Meghan Markle and two children remained in the US at their home in Montecito.
Sources previously said Meghan’s decision to stay in California had come as a relief in some quarters, fearing her presence would have increased family tensions.
The Duke of Sussex was pictured introducing his youngest child to the American holiday, which sees countless American flags, cheering crowds and celebrations across the country.
Harry carried his precious daughter in his arms and seemed to keep a low profile as he wore jeans, a green shirt, a green cap over his face and sunglasses.
Princess Lilibet wore a blue dress, white socks and red shoes, and was seen peering at the passing motorcade.
The parade attended by the royal family featured vehicles decorated with Independence Day-themed memorabilia — but it came just hours before one of the biggest days in his father’s life.
MailOnline previously reported that the Duke was not believed to be in the UK to attend the event, a possible sign of how frosty relations remain between the two sides of the Atlantic.
Princess Lilibet was dressed in a blue summer dress, white socks and red shoes with two pigtails in her hair
Prince Harry’s public appearance came just hours before his father had a second coronation ceremony in Edinburgh
He was seen holding his precious daughter tightly as the motorcade passed
During the service of thanksgiving and devotion for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Honors of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) were presented to the new king
The ceremony in Scotland comes eight weeks after the coronation in London on May 6
Brightly colored cars with US-themed decorations took part in the Montecito parade
Many of the participating vehicles were vintage, as Lilibet was experiencing her first Independence Day on American soil
In addition to old-timers, emergency services vehicles also joined the column
Charles received the Crown Jewels of Scotland at a historic thanksgiving service today, eight weeks after his coronation in London.
The monarch received the Crown of Scotland, the Scepter and the Sword of State of Scotland’s Honor at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Following his coronation in London in May, thousands of people gathered to cheer their new monarch as he took part in the holy celebrations, watched by Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Spectators watched as a procession made its way from Edinburgh Castle to the Cathedral – a group of around 100 strong, representing all aspects of Scottish society from the arts and politics to education, civil society and business, including charities that the king supports as patron.
But the king’s youngest son was nowhere to be seen as he spent time with his young children instead.
The King has only met his youngest grandchild once, during the Queen’s late Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Born in June 2021, Lilibet has spent her entire life in California, where the Sussexes moved after retiring from royal life.
Lilibet (pictured right with brother Archie and parents Harry and Meghan) has visited the UK once for the Platinum Jubilee in 2022
She went to the UK once for the anniversary and also celebrated her first birthday with a picnic at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
In March, the Sussexes confirmed that Princess Lilibet had been baptized in Montecito, California, after People magazine reported an “intimate” gathering at the Sussexes’ mansion.
It was also confirmed that King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales were invited to the event but did not attend.
In May, Prince Harry arrived in the UK for a day to watch his father be crowned amid a high-profile feud between himself and Meghan Markle and the rest of the royal family.
The Duke of Sussex seemed eager to put on a jovial display at Westminster Abbey as he chatted with Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and their husbands Jack Brooksbank and Edo Mapelli Mozzi.
It followed months of turmoil following the publication of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, which left some members of the family, particularly his brother William, reeling.
The prince has demanded an apology from his relatives for the way he says he treated his wife.