LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's adorable daughter, Princess Lilibet, turned two over the weekend, and the royal family spared no effort in making her special day a memorable one. The family reportedly hosted an "all-American affair" in sunny California to celebrate the occasion in style.
According to royal expert Jennie Bond, the festivities were expected to feature a mix of celebrities and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a laid-back toddler party. “I would expect to see a sprinkling of celebrities and a laid-back party, which hopefully will include some other toddlers,” she told told OK! Magazine UK ahead of the celebration. “It would be nice to think the day might include a video call to Lilibet’s grandfather, King Charles III, and hopefully some sort of gift has been arranged and will be delivered to Montecito for her birthday.”
A Regal Surprise in Store?
Another source told New Idea that King Charles III “had his aides looking at custom-made cubby houses, similar to what the Queen and Princess Margaret had when they were girls.” The insider added, “He wants to give Lili something she will use and be hers. She’ll remember it forever – it’s going to be the ultimate surprise. Harry has warned Charles [however] to be less extravagant.”
Birthday wishes
Social media was inundated with heartfelt wishes for the birthday girl. "Happy Birthday Princess Lilibet. This little cutie patootie who's been maligned, villified, wished ill before birth...since birth by monsters," one tweeted. "May you always be blessed with the most wonderful things that life has to offer," another gushed. "So happy for Prince Harry that he now has his little Diana. Princess Diana had wanted to start her new life in America and I think it's fate that her granddaughter, named after her, was born here. Happy Birthday Princess Lilibet Diana," someone else added.
Lilibet, born in California where her parents settled after stepping away from their royal duties, is the youngest addition to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's family. Her older brother, Prince Archie, recently celebrated his fourth birthday in California as well. Coincidentally, Archie's special day coincided with the coronation of King Charles III, who toasted to the young prince during an intimate gathering in London. Sources told the Daily Mail that the late Queen Elizabeth II's son raised a glass to Archie's joyous occasion, acknowledging his absence and sending good wishes to everyone present.
Harry's Swift Return
It appears Prince Harry made a quick return to California, refusing to miss Archie's "intimate" birthday party, despite attending his father's historic coronation in London. This decision left many members of the royal family puzzled, questioning the purpose of Harry's fleeting appearance. “One makes one’s choices. To be honest there wasn’t much talk of Harry at all. The focus was very much on the occasion,” an insider close to the family told Vanity Fair.
It seems Harry's visit was limited to the televised ceremony, as he neither saw nor spoke to his estranged family during his brief stay in England. The strained relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the royal family has only intensified since their departure from royal duties, further exacerbated by Harry's revealing memoir, 'Spare,' and the couple's joint Netflix series, 'Harry & Meghan', Page Six reported.
