Princess Lilibet doesn’t know much about her parents’ past. Born in the US after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to Montecito, California, her life has been very different from her father’s. Lilibet celebrated her first birthday in the UK, which led to a lot of gossip.
Her royal aunt and uncle, Prince William and Kate Middleton, along with her cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, did not attend her birthday party. The late Queen Elizabeth was there, but she reportedly refused to take a picture with Lilibet.
People quickly noticed that William and Kate were not at Lilibet’s birthday party. Despite the strained relationship between the Waleses and Sussexes, one of Meghan’s friends publicly mocked Kate, refusing to believe this was the reason for their absence.
On June 4, 2021, Harry and Meghan shared the happy news that their daughter, Lilibet, was born. She is their second child after their son, Archie, was born in 2019.
A spokesperson for the couple said, “It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world.”
The Royal Family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, congratulated Harry and Meghan on Lilibet’s birth. However, the relationship between the two families has since grown colder.
Lilibet was born in the US after her parents had left the Royal Family, allowing her to grow up away from the paparazzi that followed Harry and Meghan. This gave Lilibet a calmer, more private start in life.
Since the Sussexes live in the US, it took some time for Lilibet’s UK family to meet her. Finally, during Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration in 2022, Lilibet met her great-grandmother. On June 4, 2022, Lilibet celebrated her first birthday at Frogmore Cottage, their UK home at the time.
Meghan and Harry hosted a backyard picnic for their daughter Lilibet’s birthday at Frogmore Cottage. Their friend, Misan Harriman, shared a lovely photo of Lilibet celebrating her big day. This picture is one of the few the public has seen of her.
This picnic was special because it was the first time Lilibet met her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and her grandfather, then-Prince Charles. Even though this was an important family moment, no photos were made public. According to The Sun, Queen Elizabeth did not allow Harry and Meghan to have a photographer present during the introduction.
An insider told The Sun, “Harry and Meghan wanted their photographer to capture the moment Lilibet met the Queen, but they were told no chance. It was a private family meeting.”
Royal expert Camilla Tominey mentioned that the Queen didn’t want to take a photo because she had a bloodshot eye and did not want such a photo to be made public. Tominey also said that Harry hoped to get a picture of Lilibet and the Queen sometime in the future.
However, new reports suggest a different reason for the Queen’s decision. Royal expert Phil Dampier said that the Queen didn’t trust Harry and Meghan at the time because they had recently done an interview with Oprah Winfrey. This made her avoid taking a picture with her great-granddaughter.
“Even though the Queen wasn’t in the best health, she was still very sharp,” Dampier told The Sun. “She knew that any photo taken of her with Lilibet could be used in the wrong way. She wasn’t happy that the name Lilibet was chosen without her input and firmly said ‘no photographs’.”
Reports say that only Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips’ children attended the party. Prince William, Princess Kate, and their kids did not attend. There was a lot of tension then, and it hasn’t gotten much better.
Prince William and Kate Middleton said they had other commitments on the day of Lilibet’s birthday party, which is why they couldn’t attend. However, royal expert Christopher Andersen told Us Weekly that William and Kate made “no effort” to introduce their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, to Lilibet during Harry and Meghan’s UK visit.
After William and Kate declined the invite to Lilibet’s 1st birthday picnic at Frogmore Cottage, one of Meghan’s friends was quite annoyed.
Garcelle Beauvais, a star on the show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, told E! that it was “shady” for William and Kate to skip the party.
“What’s going on is, ‘What a coincidence, we’re out of town; I’m washing my hair.’ There’s a little shade there,” Beauvais told E!.
“They couldn’t delay their flight a few hours to meet Lilibet and Archie?”
Family feuds are never pleasant, and they get even more complicated when children are involved.
The ongoing “battle of the brothers” and Harry and Meghan’s move to the US means Harry hasn’t seen his nephews and niece for quite some time. According to royal biographer Tom Quinn, Harry is very upset about this.
“Harry is very sad not just because he doesn’t have a relationship with George, Charlotte, and Louis, but also because his own children don’t get to know their cousins,” Quinn told the Mirror.
“Harry and Meghan wish they could fix this. They want the cousins to meet regularly and have a good relationship as they grow up, but they don’t see how to do it while they are estranged. Harry has said he hopes the cousins can at least be friends when they are adults.”
On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Lilibet celebrated her 3rd birthday. Her first birthday was celebrated in the UK. Her second birthday was a big, celebrity-filled party in California, but this year the celebration was low-key.
According to People Magazine, Lilibet’s birthday celebrations started with a “pre-birthday bash.” Over the weekend, Harry, Meghan, and their children had a party at their home in Montecito. The guests were close friends, family, and some of Lilibet’s friends.
Harry and Meghan prefer to keep their children out of the public eye and rarely share information or photos of Archie and Lilibet. Both kids did appear in their Netflix series released in December 2022, where fans noticed that Archie spoke with an American accent.
Recently, Harry and Meghan went on a three-day trip to Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games. While visiting a school in Abuja, Meghan mentioned that Lilibet’s favorite class was “singing and dancing,” likely because she enjoys all the jumping around.
Meghan also shared a sweet moment about her daughter. She told the students that Lilibet, who is about to turn three, once looked at her and said, “Mama, I see me in you.” Meghan explained that while Lilibet meant it literally, she took it to mean something deeper, seeing herself in her daughter and in everyone around her.
Although Harry and Meghan have kept Archie and Lilibet out of the spotlight so far, that might change in the future.
Royal expert Tom Quinn says that Harry and Meghan are thinking about bringing their children with them on future trips abroad.
“Meghan knows how good this will look,” Quinn told the Mirror. “A charming royal couple with their charming children will get the kind of publicity Harry and Meghan want, especially since they are aiming to be successful entrepreneurs.”
Quinn also mentioned, “While Harry and Meghan are becoming more prominent, Kate and William seem to be struggling, and Harry and Meghan are aware of this.”
Do you think Harry and Meghan should keep their children out of the spotlight, or is it a good idea to bring them on future trips? Share this article and let us know your thoughts!
My Dad Kicked Me out Because He and My Stepmom Had a Baby — Karma Quickly Taught Him a Lesson
When Carla’s father demanded she move out to make room for a new baby, she felt her world crumble again. With the help of her determined grandparents, she found the strength to rebuild her life and uncover the family secrets that forced her to choose between independence and familial ties.
My name is Carla, and I’m 21 years old. My life hasn’t been easy, especially after losing my mom when I was 10. She was my rock, and when she passed, my world turned upside down.
Young woman | Source: Pexels
Dad remarried when I was 15. His new wife, Linda, came with a daughter, Megan, who was 16 then. Later, Dad and Linda had a son, Jimmy, and just recently, they had a baby girl.
I remember the day Dad told me they were getting married. “Carla, I think it’s time I move on,” he said, looking uncomfortable. “Linda is good for us.”
“Us?” I asked, not sure how I felt about it.
An unsure woman | Source: Midjourney
“Yes, us. She has a daughter your age. It might be nice for you to have someone around.”
Linda moved in, and things were… different. Linda was kind but distant at first, but we managed. Megan and I grew very close over time. We became like sisters, sharing everything and helping each other through tough times.
When Jimmy was born, Linda became a stay-at-home mom. That’s when things really changed.
Woman with her baby | Source: Pexels
I started working when I turned 16. I wanted my own money, so I didn’t have to rely on Dad. I worked at the local grocery store, and it felt good to be independent. I saved up for my own clothes, school supplies, and little things I wanted.
One day, when I was 18, Dad called me into his “office.” “Carla, you’re an adult now,” he said, avoiding eye contact. “You need to start paying rent. It’s only $500, just a symbolic amount.”
A man reading a newspaper | Source: Midjourney
I was shocked. “But, Dad, why? I’ve been saving for college.”
“It’s time to contribute,” he insisted. “You’ll still get food and other essentials.”
We argued, but in the end, I agreed. It was tough, but I managed.
Five months ago, everything changed again. Dad came to my room with Linda. “Carla, we need to talk,” he said, his voice firm. “Linda’s pregnant, and we need your room for the baby. You have two months to move out.”
Dad tells Carla to move out | Source: Midjourney
I stared at him in disbelief. “What? You have two offices! Why can’t you use one of those?”
Linda looked apologetic but said nothing. Dad just repeated, “You need to move out.”
I felt like my world was falling apart again. I didn’t know what to do. I called my Aunt Lisa in tears. “Aunt Lisa, Dad is kicking me out. Can I stay with you?”
Aunt Lisa was furious. “Of course, you can stay with me. No rent needed. I’ll handle your father.”
Furious woman | Source: Pexels
The next day, Grandpa showed up at our house. He talked to Dad for a long time. I heard raised voices, but I couldn’t make out the words. Afterward, Grandpa came to me. “Carla, you have three choices,” he said gently. “You can stay here, move in with me and Grandma, or find your own place, and I’ll cover the rent.”
I was relieved but conflicted. I decided to stay for a bit longer, but things got worse. Dad and Linda became cold and distant. Even Megan noticed. “Why are they so mad at you?” she asked one night.
Sad teenage girl | Source: Pexels
“I don’t know,” I sighed. “I just don’t know.”
Eventually, I told Grandpa I wanted to move out. I packed my things and moved into Grandpa’s rental unit. It was a cozy apartment, and Grandpa had thought of everything. There was a fridge, a stove, and all the essentials I needed. He even gave me a check for $15,000.
Small apartment | Source: Pexels
“This is to help you start on your own,” Grandpa said with a smile. “As long as you’re working or studying, you can live here rent-free.”
“Thank you, Grandpa,” I said, hugging him tightly. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
The first few weeks were a mix of emotions. I missed my family, especially Megan and Jimmy. But at the same time, I loved the feeling of independence. It was nice to have my own space and make my own decisions.
Young woman relaxes at home | Source: Pexels
I had low contact with Dad and Linda. They didn’t call, and I didn’t visit.
One day, I decided to visit Aunt Lisa. I needed to talk to someone about my feelings. When I arrived, she welcomed me with open arms.
“Carla, it’s so good to see you,” she said, pulling me into a hug. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been okay,” I replied. “It’s just… I miss them, you know?”
“I know, sweetheart,” she said softly. “But you have to do what’s best for you.”
Confident woman | Source: Pexels
As we talked, my cousin overheard us and laughed. “I bet Dad misses you because Grandpa is making him pay for kicking you out,” he said.
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.
“Grandpa owns the house, not Dad,” my cousin explained. “Grandpa is charging him rent and making him repay the $15,000 he gave you.”
Young man talks to a woman | Source: Pexels
I was stunned. “I had no idea,” I said, shaking my head. “I didn’t realize how much Grandpa had been supporting us.”
“Grandpa’s been helping a lot,” Aunt Lisa added. “He’s been subsidizing your Dad for years. And now, he’s making sure you’re taken care of too.”
It felt like everything clicked into place. Dad was struggling not because he missed me, but because Grandpa was making him pay for his actions. I felt a mix of anger and sadness. How could Dad do this to me?
Shocked young woman | Source: Pexels
I decided to visit Grandpa and Grandma. I needed to hear their side of the story. When I arrived, they welcomed me warmly.
“Carla, we’ve missed you,” Grandma said, hugging me tightly. “How’s the apartment?”
“It’s great, Grandma. Thank you so much,” I said. “But I need to know more about what’s going on with Dad.”
Woman and her grandmother | Source: Pexels
Grandpa sighed. “Your father has been relying on us financially for years,” he explained. “We’ve been helping with school, healthcare, and other expenses. When he kicked you out, it was the last straw.”
“I didn’t know,” I said quietly. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“We didn’t want to burden you,” Grandpa said. “But you deserve to know the truth. Your father needs to learn responsibility, and this is the only way we can teach him.”
thoughtful elderly woman | Source: Pexels
“But what about Megan and Jimmy?” I asked. “And the new baby?”
“They’ll be fine,” Grandpa reassured me. “We’re still helping them. We set up funds for all of you, including Megan. We want everyone to have the same opportunities.”
I felt a wave of relief and gratitude. “Thank you, Grandpa,” I said. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
As I drove back to my apartment, I thought about everything I had learned. My heart ached for my siblings, but I knew I couldn’t go back. I needed to stay independent.
Young woman driving | Source: Pexels
I decided I needed to maintain a relationship with my siblings, even if things were tense with Dad and Linda. Megan and I talked regularly. She would text me about her day, school, and everything in between.
A few days later, Dad called again. “Carla, let’s have dinner,” he suggested. “We need to talk.”
I agreed, hoping we could clear the air. We met at a quiet restaurant, and the tension was palpable.
Young woman in a cafe | Source: Pexels
“Carla, I’m sorry for everything,” Dad started. “I miss you. We all miss you.”
“Dad, I miss you too,” I replied, trying to keep my emotions in check. “But I can’t just come back like nothing happened.”
“I understand,” he said, looking down. “I didn’t realize how much I was relying on Grandpa. I’ve been trying to sort things out.”
Dad in the restaurant with Carla | Source: Pexels
“I appreciate that,” I said. “But I need you to respect my space. I’ll visit and stay in touch, but I can’t move back. It’s better for me this way.”
“Okay,” he said, nodding slowly. “We’ll make it work. Just don’t stay away too long.”
“I won’t,” I promised.
Dinner was a step in the right direction, but it was clear things wouldn’t be the same. I was determined to set boundaries and stick to them.
Happy middle-aged man | Source: Pexels
Reflecting on everything, I felt a deep gratitude for my grandparents. Without them, I would have been lost. Grandpa’s tough love with Dad was necessary, and I respected him even more for it. Grandma’s gentle support had been a constant comfort.
One evening, I sat with Grandpa and Grandma, talking about the future. “I want to finish college and start my career,” I said. “You both have done so much for me. I want to make you proud.”
“You already make us proud,” Grandpa said, his eyes twinkling. “Just keep working hard, and you’ll do great things.”
Happy elderly man | Source: Pexels
“Remember, we’re always here for you,” Grandma added. “No matter what.”
I hugged them both, feeling incredibly lucky. Their support had given me the strength to move forward.
Carol hugs her grandfather | Source: Midjourney
As I settled into my apartment that night, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. My family’s dynamics were complicated, but I was determined to navigate them with grace. I would maintain my relationships with Megan and Jimmy, set boundaries with Dad, and focus on building a bright future.
With the love and support of my grandparents, I knew I could achieve anything.
If you liked this story, consider checking out this one! When Sarah’s estranged father appeared at her graduation, claiming her grandparents had hidden her from him, her world turned upside down. As shocking truths unfolded, Sarah faced the painful task of discerning love from lies, unraveling a web of deceit that threatened to destroy her family bonds.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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