Elizabeth II intends to participate in the celebrations that mark 70 years of reign

Queen Elizabeth II plans to attend major celebrations next month to mark her 70th birthday on the British throne, Buckingham Palace said on Friday. However, Prince Andrew and Harry will be excluded from one of the traditional events.

Britain’s longest-serving monarch marked seven decades as queen in February, and four days of events are being organized for early June to celebrate the mark, known as the “Platinum Jubilee”.

Elizabeth has struggled with mobility issues, which has resulted in most of her public engagements being cancelled, but Buckingham Palace has highlighted that she planned to be at several events.

“His Majesty is looking forward to the weekend and will participate in the celebrations, but his presence will not be confirmed ahead of time or even on the day itself,” a palace spokesperson said.

The four days of events begin on June 2 with the annual Trooping the Color military parade in central London, followed by a Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral, a concert outside Buckingham Palace and a stop by the British capital in the following days.

A feature of major royal events is the presence of the Royal Family to wave to crowds from the palace balcony. However, the Queen has decided that neither her son Prince Andrew nor grandson Prince Harry will be there this time.

Andrew’s shares plummeted after a US lawsuit in which he was accused of sexually abusing Virginia Giuffre when she was a teenager.

He had previously stepped down from public duties because of his connection to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and had military titles and royal sponsorship withdrawn, no longer recognized as “His Royal Highness”.

Prince Charles’ youngest son Harry has also given up royal duties and lost his sponsorships after moving to Los Angeles with his American wife Meghan.

“After careful consideration, the Queen has decided that the traditional appearance on the balcony will be limited to Her Majesty and those members of the Royal Family who are currently assuming official public duties on behalf of the Queen,” the palace spokesperson said.

There has been much speculation over whether Harry, who has been in a dispute with the government over security arrangements that made him miss Prince Philip’s memorial service in March, would return for the Jubilee.

A palace source said Harry, Meghan and their children remained “much loved members of the family” and that those absent from the balcony “will be invited to the events”.