There’s no denying that family was a top priority for Queen Elizabeth. Although the Royal Family had their fair share of drama, she never turned her back on anyone, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. When the couple made their royal exit in 2020 to move to California, the monarch was supportive.
After the couple’s exit, the Queen kept in touch with them and their son Archie via video calls. In June 2021, Harry and Meghan’s second child, daughter Lilibet, was born. The name is in honor of the late monarch, who was given the nickname Lilibet as a child.
Elizabeth was overjoyed by her new granddaughter and the touching tribute. A year later, when the family visited the Queen, the joyful trip turned to heartbreak.
Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday Celebration Ruined by Harry and Meghan’s Exit
Harry and Meghan’s June 2022 visit to the U.K. coincided with their daughter Lilibet’s first birthday. Elizabeth was excited to see her grandson and her new granddaughter. Since it was Lilibet’s birthday, she decided to have a small, private celebration at the palace.
However, things didn’t go as planned.
Paul Burrell, the Queen’s former butler, told the Daily Express that Harry and Meghan never showed up.
On Lilibet’s first birthday, the Queen didn’t see her – she saw her the day before. But on her birthday, the Queen had a birthday cake make with one candle in it. And they never turned up. That candle was never lit.
Burrell revealed that the couple opted to celebrate their daughter’s birthday the day before with a picnic at Frogmore Cottage. However, Elizabeth invited them for tea the next day, hoping to surprise them with a birthday cake for Lilibet.
Instead, the couple skipped out and headed back to America. When Elizabeth was informed of the news, she responded, “What do you mean they’ve gone?“
Burrell says the news left the Queen “confused” and “disappointed.”
Well, I don’t understand anyone that could do that. Not her family, why would you want to? 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.
As with any story, it’s important to take everything with a grain of salt. But one thing that is true is that Queen Elizabeth loved all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
