Meghan and Harry, who flew in from the United States for Jubilee celebrations, were warmly welcomed by crowds on Friday, arriving to cheers.
Ahead of the event, there was a lot of speculation in the British press about how the couple would be received following their decision to step down as royals and move to California two years ago.
The public was less enthusiastic about British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was both cheered and booed as he arrived with his wife, Carrie.
The last guests to arrive at St Paul’s were Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, followed by Prince Charles – the heir to the throne – and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson told CNN on Friday that the Queen will watch the thanksgiving service on television from Windsor Castle.
Harry and Meghan quickly walk out of the Thanksgiving service
The service was a chance for the royal family to come together in recognition of the beloved matriarch.
“Yesterday was a big party, a spectacular, fabulous big party, with a flypast and the incredible tribute to armed service. But today is much more solemn,” said the royal historian of CNN, Kate Williams.
Over 400 people from all four nations of the UK were invited to the event recognizing the Queen’s life of service.
The congregation included key workers, teachers and civil servants as well as representatives from the armed forces, charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups, according to Buckingham Palace. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was among the audience.
The theme of Friday morning’s event, officially called “The National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee”, was public service.
The Dean of St Paul’s, David Ison, led the service, which included Bible readings, prayers and congregational hymns to honor the Queen’s 70 years on the British throne.
St Paul’s marked the occasion by ringing its bell – the largest in the UK, weighing over 16 tonnes. Friday’s event was the first royal occasion it has rung since its restoration in 2021.
The event was the first time the public could get a good look at Harry and Meghan.
They were seated in the second row, alongside Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, the daughters of Prince Andrew, and their husbands.
The couple also attended the Trooping the Color ceremony on Thursday but kept a low profile on their first joint outing to a royal event in two years watching the proceedings from the Major General’s office overlooking Horse Guards Parade.
Harry and Meghan did not join the other royals for the traditional balcony appearance after the parade, as the Queen decided last month that only working royals would be invited at this time. .
As Trooping the Color celebrated the Queen’s official birthday, it also served as a curtain raiser for her four-day Jubilee weekend.
The festivities will also include a concert at the palace on Saturday and a show on Sunday.
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