Meghan Markle, Prince Harry celebrate Lilibet’s 3rd birthday amid royal family drama
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry rang in daughter Princess Lilibet’s third birthday amid ongoing strife throughout the royal family.
The party, which took place over the weekend at the Sussexes’ home in Montecito, Calif., was attended by close friends, family and pals of little Lili, who turned three Tuesday, People reports.
Named for Queen Elizabeth II’s nickname among family and close friends, Lilibet was first referred to with her royal title early last year during her christening in March 2023. Neither grandfather King Charles nor her uncle, Prince William, attended the occasion, though both were invited, according to People.
The christening was just two months after Harry, 39, released his memoir, “Spare,” airing much of the royal family’s dirty laundry. He and the “Suits” star, 42, relocated to the U.S. in early 2020 as they announced they’d be stepping back from senior royal duties.
King Charles, 75, and daughter-in-law Princess Catherine, 42, both announced earlier this year that they were undergoing treatment for cancer.
Last month, People reported that the pair and Prince William, 41, skipped out on the 10th anniversary service for Harry’s Invictus Games, though they were all invited. Despite his father’s health crisis, Harry — who in April declared the U.S. his official residence — did not get to see the king during his time in the U.K. reportedly due to the king’s “diary of commitments and various other priorities.”
In following days, Markle praised her husband during the first stop of their Nigeria tour, following his “inspiring” words at the GENACO Foundation’s inaugural mental health summit: “You see why I’m married to him?”
In addition to tensions with his royal relatives, Harry and Markle have had their own issues. Their charity, the Archewell Foundation, was recently declared “delinquent” by her native California.
In June 2023, the couple and Spotify “mutually agreed” to end the reportedly $20 million deal they inked in 2020, after just a single series, “Archetypes,” which was hosted by Markle.
