Prince Harry's request to the late Queen 'turned down flat with just two words'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had their final meeting with the late Queen Elizabeth II when they visited the UK for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. However, the meeting didn't quite go to plan, with the monarch reportedly declining to be photographed with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The visit marked the first time Lilibet had met her great-grandmother the Queen, and her grandfather then Prince Charles. It is one of the few times that Meghan, Harry, and their children have visited the UK together, following the family's move to California. The Platinum Jubilee coincided with Lilibet's first birthday, and it's thought that the Sussexes were hopeful for a photo with the tot and her great-grandmother.
However, a source told The Sun that the Queen responded "no chance" when asked for a photo. The source told the publication: "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."
It's since been claimed that their request was rejected amid concerns that the images would be leaked to US television networks. The claims that the Queen rejected the photo opportunity has been echoed by Royal expert Camilla Tominey, who has written in The Telegraph: "When the couple made another beeline for Windsor Castle, travelling straight there after landing at Farnborough Airport, she refused their request to have professional photographs taken with Archie, three, and her namesake Lilibet, one.
"Claiming she had a bloodshot eye, she adroitly denied the Sussexes the photo opportunity they craved. Harry was 'persistent', according to those party to the meeting, expressing a desire to get an official snap of the two Lilibets together at some point in the future. But of course, it was never to be. She died three months later."
Now two years later, Princess Lilibet has celebrated her 3rd birthday on 4 June. Speaking about how the Sussexes likely celebrated the occasion former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!: "I expect her birthday will be full of sunshine, squabbles with her brother, fun games with her toddler friends and some delicious home cooking from her mum.
"It will no doubt be in all American affair at their Montecito mansion and I would expect to see a sprinkling of celebrities and a laid-back party, which hopefully will include some other toddlers. It would be nice to think the day might include a video call to Lilibet’s grandfather, King Charles and hopefully some sort of gift has been arranged and will be delivered to Montecito for her birthday."
