By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) – Prince Harry and his spouse Meghan had been greeted with cheers and a few jeers as they joined the royal household at a thanksgiving service on Friday for Queen Elizabeth, their first public look collectively in Britain since quitting royal duties

Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, joined different senior royals on the service at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, the most recent occasion in Platinum Jubilee celebrations marking the queen’s 70 years on the throne.

The couple moved to the USA two years in the past to steer a extra unbiased life, and reside in a mansion in California with their two younger youngsters Archie and daughter Lilibet, who was named after Queen Elizabeth, her great-grandmother.

Harry and Meghan have turn out to be divisive figures in Britain, with some Britons and plenty of media shops pouring scorn on their transfer and their industrial actions, corresponding to putting a take care of world streaming service Netflix (NASDAQ:), although others regard them as a breath of contemporary air for the tradition-bound monarchy.

There have been loud cheers and a few boos as they arrived on the cathedral on Friday, whereas the eyes of the congregation had been fastened on them as they walked to their seats.

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The couple, who had mentioned they had been “excited and honoured” to attend the Platinum Jubilee occasions, made headlines with a bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in March final yr when Meghan, who’s biracial, accused an unnamed royal of racism and Harry mentioned his household had reduce them off financially.

Their relationship with the opposite royals has been frosty since then, most notably with Harry’s elder brother Prince William. Harry’s criticisms of his household have continued for the reason that Oprah interview and there was no apparent interplay between the brothers at Friday’s service.

Harry has been embroiled in a authorized dispute with the British authorities, which won’t permit him to pay for police safety when he’s in Britain. Though he returned to Britain in April final yr for the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip, the queen’s husband, he didn’t attend a latest memorial service due to the safety situation.

Nonetheless, the couple met the queen at Windsor Fort in April on their first personal journey to Britain since quitting royal duties. A palace supply has mentioned Harry, Meghan and his youngsters remained “a lot beloved family members”.

Media reviews urged the 96-year-old queen, who missed Friday’s service because of her ongoing mobility points, had lastly met Lilibet for the primary time on Thursday, although a palace supply described this as full hypothesis.

Harry mentioned he had stepped again from his royal duties as a result of the “poisonous” British press had been destroying his psychological well being, and he and Meghan, who’ve efficiently sued one tabloid and refuse to interact with others, have turn out to be figures of ridicule and scorn for a lot of newspapers.

A YouGov ballot this week urged the couple’s recognition with the general public had hit a brand new low, with Harry having a web favourability rating of -26 and Meghan -42.

Solely Prince Andrew, who in February paid to settle a U.S. lawsuit wherein he was accused of sexually abusing an underage lady, had a decrease rating among the many royals.

However gathered exterior St Paul’s, some royal followers mentioned seeing the couple could be a spotlight.

“It is good to see folks of color as a result of it reveals extra range and I feel that is one thing that can assist make the world a greater place,” mentioned Bella Bigord, 13.