Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Fly Back To US As Queen Appears On Balcony On Last Day Of Platinum Jubilee

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle headed back to the United States an hour before Queen Elizabeth appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony marking the end of the Platinum Jubilee celebration on Sunday.

The Queen stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton. According to sources, the Queen was "determined" to overcome her painful mobility issues and express her gratitude personally to the thousands of attendees. The 96-year-old British monarch said she remains 'committed to serving' the nation to "the best of my ability."

"I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations," the Queen concluded in her speech.

An insider said Harry and Meghan did not stay for the pageant, adding, "It's a celebration of Britain and all of its quirks and eccentricities over the Queen's 70-year reign." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, together with their two children Archie, 3, and one-year-old Lilibet, were already away when the Platinum Jubilee Pageant started.

Harry and Meghan are believed to have traveled from Frogmore Cottage to Farnborough Airport before taking off at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. An insider said, "There was no fanfare, they just went. They didn't stick around for the Platinum Jubilee pageant." The couple spent a lot of time at Frogmore Cottage during their visit and they are said to have hosted a 'relaxed' party for Lilibet's first birthday at the Windsor residence.

Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, were not that visible in public during the Queen's four-day Jubilee celebration. On Thursday, they were photographed shushing younger royals in the Major General's Office at Trooping the Colour.

The pair were only seen in public during the thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday, as they sat on the second row, 25ft away from William, Kate, Charles and Camilla. Harry had no interaction with his sibling or father during the service.

The Sussexes reportedly declined the chance to have snacks and drinks with family members at The Guildhall; instead, they went back to Frogmore Cottage. They also missed Saturday night's epic party at Buckingham Palace, where Charles and William delivered speeches.

After jetting in from Santa Barbara on Wednesday, Harry and Meghan have promised to "stick to the script" and not plan any antics away from the Platinum Jubilee.