Let her eat cake — alone.
A former worker of Queen Elizabeth II claimed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle snubbed the late monarch’s invitation to have fun Princess Lilibet’s 1st birthday together with her.
“Even on Lilibet’s 1st birthday, the Queen didn’t see her,” the Queen’s one-time footman Paul Burrell informed the Mirror in an interview printed Friday.
“She saw her the day before. But on her birthday, the Queen had a birthday cake made with one candle in it. And they never turned up. That candle was never lit.”
However, a supply tells Page Six there’s “no truth” to Burrell’s claims.
“They did see the Queen to celebrate Lili’s birthday,” the insider says.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the royal household in celebrating the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, and a number of the festivities occurred to fall on Lilibet’s 1st birthday.
Harry, 38, and Markle, 42, reportedly celebrated their daughter’s large day with a relaxed backyard occasion at Frogmore Cottage — the primary dwelling they shared as newlyweds — amongst royal members of the family together with his cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips and their respective youngsters.
That identical day, the Queen — who died on September 8, 2022, on the age of 96 — was scheduled to attend the Epsom Derby in Surrey as a part of the jubilee festivities however was compelled to drag out on account of her ongoing well being points.
According to Burrell, the sovereign had invited Harry and Markle to have fun Lilibet’s birthday however was snubbed.
“The next day, she asked if maybe they’d like to come up for tea again and was told they’ve gone,” the ex-Buckingham Palace staffer claimed. “‘What do you mean they’ve gone?’ she said. ‘They’ve gone back to America.’ ‘Oh no, they never said goodbye.’”
Burrell additional claimed the Queen was “confused” that Harry and Markle, who additionally share 4-year-old son Prince Archie, determined to go away London so rapidly.
“How could you offend our Queen? Well, I don’t understand anyone that could do that. Not her family, why would you want to?” he mentioned. “She was devoid of jealousy, anger, envy, all those traits that we associate with other people she didn’t have. She was just a very simple soul. I wish the world could have known her the way I knew her.”
Still, the Queen publicly shared her birthday needs for her great-granddaughter by way of social media.
“Wishing Lilibet a very Happy 1st Birthday!” the longest-reigning British monarch tweeted.
Harry’s estranged brother, Prince William, additionally celebrated Lilibet’s milestone birthday. He and his spouse, Kate Middleton, tweeted, “Wishing a very happy birthday to Lilibet, turning one today!”
However, the Prince and Princess of Wales weren’t as eager on celebrating the Sussexes’ daughter’s 2nd birthday this 12 months amid rising tensions between the brothers.
William and Harry have been feuding ever because the redheaded royal launched his bombshell memoir, “Spare,” in January by which he claimed William, 41, as soon as bodily attacked him.
Harry and Markle have additionally repeatedly dragged the royal household in numerous interviews after resigning from their royal duties in 2020 and transferring to Montecito, California.
However, Harry has solely ever had type phrases to say concerning the late Queen and honoured her reminiscence forward of the primary anniversary of her loss of life whereas talking on the WellLittle one Awards on Thursday.
“As you know, I was unable to attend the awards last year as my grandmother passed away,” he informed the group on the London-based profit. “As you also probably know, she would have been the first person to insist that I still come to be with you all instead of going to her.
“And that’s precisely why I know, exactly one year on, that she is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we’re together, continuing to spotlight such an incredible community.”
Harry additionally visited Windsor Castle Friday to mourn the anniversary, notably with out Markle.
Meghan is anticipated to reunite together with her husband at his 2023 Invictus Games in Germany this weekend.
A consultant for the Sussexes didn’t instantly reply to Page Six’s request for touch upon Burrell’s claims.
This story initially appeared on Page Six and is republished right here with permission.
Source: www.news.com.au
