Everything you need to know about Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s ‘no fanfare’ £160k 5-day UK trip with Lilibet & Archie
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle were quick to jet home from the UK on Sunday after marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a whirlwind visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are estimated to have splashed £160,000 on the five-day trip, quietly bringing their kids Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, in tow.
Despite fears they may overshadow Her Majesty, 96, during the celebrations, the former royals were barely seen during the "no-fanfare" trip.
They also made a speedy exit on Sunday, jetting back to Santa Barbara, California, before the Jubilee fun had finished.
Here's everything you need to know about Meghan and Harry's first UK visit together since they quit royal life.
WHIRLWIND VISIT
Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, jetted into the UK on a private jet from Santa Barbara on Wednesday.
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Together with Archie and Lilibet, they piled into the back of a blacked-out VW people carrier and were given a low-key escort by the Queen's Land Rover and bodyguards.
But they left their vast entourage which followed the couple around the Invictus Games - back home in California.
And Netflix cameras - which caused a storm when they were in the Netherlands - were also kept away.
The 10,000-mile round trip from California to London is estimated to have cost around £160,000.
It is not known who footed the bill.
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'STICK TO THE SCRIPT'
The Sussexes had pledged to “stick to the script” and not plan any antics away from the Platinum Jubilee.
And it meant they were barely visible in public during the Queen's four-day celebration.
Meghan and Harry were first pictured playfully entertaining younger royals in the Major General's Office at Trooping the Colour on Thursday.
The thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday was then the only time they were seen in public with their family as they sat on the second row, 25ft from William, Kate, Charles and Camilla.
The Sussexes turned down the chance to have snacks and drinks with family members at The Guildhall and were instead driven back to Frogmore Cottage.
They also missed Saturday night’s epic party at Buckingham Palace - where Charles and William were cheered by the 120,000-strong crowd when they delivered incredible speeches.
LILIBET'S BIRTHDAY
The Sun on Sunday revealed the Sussexes were visited by younger royals, including Zara and Mike Tindall’s children, for a garden party to celebrate daughter Lilibet’s first birthday.
It is also believed a birthday bash was organised at the cottage with picnic-style snacks, cake, balloons and party games.
Zara and Mike Tindall's children - Mia, 8, Lena, 3, and one-year-old Lucas - are thought to have attended.
Other guests were Peter Phillips and ex-wife Autumn's daughters Savannah, 11, and 10-year-old Isla.
Archie's godfather Charlie Van Staubenzee and his brother Tom are also said to have been at the bash.
And The Sun understands the Queen, 96, had met Lilibet before she turned one.
But there are no plans to release a photograph of the moment, we are told.
QUICK MEGXIT
The Sussexes and their two children Archie, aged three, and one-year-old Lilibet made a quick exit from the celebrations on Sunday.
It's understood they were already in the air when the Platinum Jubilee Pageant kicked off yesterday.
An insider said: “There was no fanfare, they just went.
"They didn't stick around for the Platinum Jubilee pageant.”
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They are believed to have been driven from Frogmore Cottage to Farnborough Airport before taking off at 1.30pm.
They were then spotted at an airport in Santa Barbara after making the early exit via private plane.
