It was the snub heard around the world — Queen Elizabeth II invited her grandson, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan Markle, to spend the Christmas holiday with her, and they declined in a very public manner.
Many were baffled that the Duke of Sussex turned down the olive branch offered by his aging grandmother, who was recently hospitalized with a minor health scare.
This is Queen Elizabeth’s first Christmas without her beloved husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
By asking Prince Harry and the former actress to come to England for the year-end festivities, the 95-year-old monarch was signaling that she had decided to let bygones be bygones.
After stepping back from their royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took part in a handful of interviews where they made spectacular accusations against the royal family.
Prince William vetoes Lilibet Diana’s christening
Many speculated that Prince Harry and the philanthropist opted to stay in California because Prince William apparently shut down the possibility of them having their baby daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who was born on June 4, 2021, receive a royal christening in the presence of Queen Elizabeth.
A royal expert recently confirmed that a reliable source told him that Prince William decided not to have his baby niece’s royal baptism at Windsor because it was not the right time for the family.
NBC royal correspondent Neil Sean revealed: “One of the bigger problems that Meghan really encountered of later is that she wanted her daughter, Lilibet Diana, to be christened in the place she was married alongside her husband Prince Harry. And then the christening of her firstborn, Archie. But that came to a grinding halt. Both Harry and Meghan were very keen to make that return and make sure that christening happened, particularly in front of Her Majesty The Queen.”
He added: “[M]oving forward, there was one person who basically decided there wasn’t an appetite for this and the person that seemingly is, so far, not willing to kiss and make up with his younger brother…According to a very good source, Prince William was the one who basically said, ‘no, we don’t think this is going to work,’ it wasn’t a particularly good idea.”
Queen Elizabeth attends joint christenings
This week, Elizabeth II appeared to hit Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with a royal snub of her own — she was available to take part in joint christenings.
On Sunday, despite her health issues, she braved the English weather to be present for two royal babies.
Her Majesty was seen in good spirits as she drove to the religious ceremonies for two of her great-grandchildren at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor.
Other members of the royal family accompanied her. Queen Elizabeth was present for the christening of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank‘s baby boy, August, nine months, and Zara and Mike Tindall‘s son, Lucas, who is eight months.
The Queen is not lingering on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to bail on her. She has told the close members of the royal family she is feeling much better and is looking forward to hosting them at Sandringham this Christmas.
A royal source told The Mirror: “The Queen has told everyone she is feeling far better of late and is very much looking forward to welcoming them for Christmas.”
There is still no date for royal baby Lilibet Diana’s christening
It is still unclear when and where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex‘s second child will be christened.
After the reports of Prince William hinting that it was not possible for Queen Elizabeth to take part in Lilibet’s christening, many royal insiders tried to convince the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to have the ceremony in California.
Soon after, the powerful pair issued the following statement on the matter: “Plans for the baby’s christening have not been finalized, and as such, any assumptions about what will or will not take place are mere speculation.”
There is no certainty that Markle and Prince Harry will get their wish of christening Lili Diana at Windsor like her older brother, Archie.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle are delighted for Princess Eugenie
While Prince Harry and his wife wait for their baby daughter to have her moment with the Queen, they are happy for Princess Eugenie and her husband.
Despite relocating to California and causing lots of drama, the independent royals are still close with Prince Harry’s cousin.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl explained: “Eugenie and Jack are very close to Harry and Meghan. It’s actually one of the few close relationships Harry and Meghan have retained in the royal family.”
Observers say will take time for the family to heal after the past two years.
