Prince William and Kate refuse to attend Lilibet's first birthday despite Meghan and Harry's invite
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry extended an olive branch toward Prince William and Kate Middleton by inviting them to their daughter Lilibet's first birthday party amidst the rumors of a sour relationship between the brothers.
However, according to Page Six, the Cambridges did not attend the party organized by the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, on Saturday. William, Kate, and two of their three children, Prince George, 8, and Princess Charlotte, 7, were in Wales taking part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
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A UK-based royal insider told the portal, "Things are still fraught — William is still wary of spending any time alone with Harry as you never quite know what may be reported back afterwards." Meghan, Harry, and their two children, 3-year-old Archie and 1-year-old Lilibet, left the UK on Sunday and flew back home to California.
However, the official account for the Cambridges posted a birthday wish for Lilibet. "Wishing a very happy birthday to Lilibet, turning one today! [balloon emoji]," read the tweet. Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, also posted a message for the birthday girl. The tweet said, "Wishing Lilibet a very happy 1st birthday today! [birthday cake emoji]."
Wishing a very happy birthday to Lilibet, turning one today! 🎈
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) June 4, 2022
Wishing Lilibet a very happy 1st birthday today! 🎂
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) June 4, 2022
Similarly, the Royal Family official account also posted a message for Lilibet saying, "[balloon emoji] Wishing Lilibet a very Happy 1st Birthday!" While it was Lilibet's first visit to the UK, it was Archie's first trip back since Meghan and Harry left the country for the US in March 2020. A lovely new image of Lilibet was released where the 1-year-old smiles wearing a blue frock and a matching headband while sitting in a grassy field.
It was such a privilege to celebrate the 1st birthday of Lilibet with my family and hers! Joy and face painting all around ❤️🎂🎉 pic.twitter.com/bg3RY6MOEu
— Misan Harriman (@misanharriman) June 6, 2022
It was snapped by Misan Harriman, a close family friend of the Sussexes during Lilibet's birthday party. Meanwhile, as per journalist Omid Scobie, Meghan and Harry invited close friends and family for an intimate backyard picnic at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor on Saturday. Claire Ptak, who made the couple's 2018 wedding cake, reportedly baked a special order for the party.
He further tweeted, "A spokesperson tells me Harry and Meghan 'remain incredibly touched by the countless birthday wishes for their daughter' and have also been 'amazed' to learn that Sussex supporters around the world have made donations amounting to over $100K to @WCKitchen in Lilibet's honor."
A spokesperson tells me Harry and Meghan "remain incredibly touched by the countless birthday wishes for their daughter" and have also been "amazed" to learn that Sussex supporters around the world have made donations amounting to over $100K to @WCKitchen in Lilibet's honor.
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) June 6, 2022
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II met her great-granddaughter Lilibet who was named after her. "Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet," said the statement released by Meghan and Harry in 2021. Scobie told BBC Breakfast on Friday, "I think people are expecting some sort of big birthday extravagant event, that we're going to see photographs from. From what I'm told, we shouldn't expect anything. Those moments with Lilibet are very much private between them and the Queen and of course we know how much she's been looking forward to it."