Queen’s Commonwealth service chaos as protesters storm security moments before arrival
PROTESTERS in Westminster have attempted to storm fences built to protect the Royal Family moments before the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
Commonwealth Service: Protesters storm fences at Westminster
Cameroon protesters could be seen charging police officers in Westminster in an attempt to break fences built to protect the Royal Family ahead of the Commonwealth Service procession. Queen Elizabeth II was moments away from arriving to celebrate the annual event at Westminster Abbey with the rest of the Royal Family. City of Westminster Police released the following statement: “As part of the policing operation for Commonwealth Day celebrations, officers arrested 2 men at approx 2.20pm in Victoria St, SW1 for breach of Anti-Terrorism Road Traffic Regs (ATTRO). Both are in police custody. An operation remains in place whilst the celebrations are ongoing.”
The Commonwealth Service at London's Westminster Abbey is an annual event that this year brings together Harry and Meghan with Queen Elizabeth, his elder brother William and wife Kate, and father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, for the first time in public since the couple thrashed out an exit deal from their royal roles in January.
"It will be fascinating to see how it plays out," said royal biographer Penny Junor. "I imagine everybody will be on absolutely best behaviour. But goodness knows what they will all be thinking privately."
The January agreement, which comes into action at the end of the month, will see the couple - the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - seek to carve out "a progressive new role", mainly based in North America, that they aim to finance themselves.
Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, will stop using their HRH titles - His or Her Royal Highness, will not use "royal" in their branding and Harry, who will remain a prince, will relinquish his military titles.
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Their announcement two months ago that they wished to step back from some of their royal duties sent shockwaves through the monarchy.
It led to a crisis meeting involving the 93-year-old Queen, her heir Charles, William and Harry that concluded he and Meghan would have to give up all their royal duties.
The couple has spent most of their time since in Canada but returned at the start of the month for a farewell round of engagements.
Harry and Meghan's baby son Archie has remained behind in Canada.
Monday's event to mark Commonwealth Day is expected to be their last official appearance, with no certainty about when the Royal Family will next be seen together.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be part of the Queen's procession through Westminster Abbey at the start of the Commonwealth Service as they make their final official appearance as senior royals.
Harry and Meghan are joining the monarch, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the central London church as they carry out their last public royal duty before they walk away from the monarchy.
But, unlike last year, Harry and Meghan will be conducted to their seats, rather than waiting for the Queen's arrival and walking through the church with the monarch and key royals as they did last year.
The move signifies their impending exit from The Firm - dubbed Megxit.
From March 31, the monarch's grandson and American former actress Meghan will no longer use their HRH styles as they pursue a new life of personal and financial freedom, mostly in North America.