Amid the backdrop of the British royal family's intricate dynamics, a new revelation has come to light. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, despite naming their daughter Lilibet after Queen Elizabeth II, reportedly declined an invitation from the monarch to celebrate their daughter's first birthday in June 2021.
Paul Burrell, a former royal butler who was closely associated with Princess Diana, has shed light on this matter. According to Burrell, the Queen had a birthday cake prepared for Lilibet, complete with a single candle. However, the Sussexes did not show up, and the candle remained unlit. "Even on Lilibet's 1st birthday, the Queen didn't see her. She saw her the day before," Burrell remarked in a recent interview.
It was earlier reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did commemorate Lilibet's birthday with the royal family at Frogmore Cottage. However, the Queen, who was scheduled to attend the Epsom Derby on that day, had to cancel her appearance due to mobility challenges.
Burrell's account further delves into the Queen's reaction to the Sussexes' absence. The day after Lilibet's birthday, the monarch inquired if the couple would like to join her for tea, only to be informed that they had already departed for America. The Queen was reportedly taken aback by their sudden departure without a proper farewell.
The former butler expressed his bewilderment at the Sussexes' decision, emphasizing the Queen's gentle nature and lack of negative emotions like jealousy or anger. "How could you offend our Queen? Well, I don't understand anyone that could do that. Not her family, why would you want to?" Burrell mused.
However, a counter-narrative has emerged, with an unnamed source asserting that there's "no truth" to Burrell's claims. This source insists that the Sussexes did indeed meet the Queen to celebrate Lilibet's birthday.
The timing of these revelations is particularly poignant, as they coincide with the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's passing. While Prince Harry was in the U.K. for the WellChild Awards, he paid a visit to the Queen's gravesite. Notably, he did not attend other royal gatherings marking the somber occasion.
As the British royal family continues to navigate the complexities of their relationships and public image, such episodes underscore the challenges they face in reconciling personal feelings with public duty.
