Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fans have been left outraged by the royal family ‘disrespecting’ Lilibet on her 3rd birthday.
Since stepping down as senior royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have become controversial figures.
They’ve left their duties behind and started a new life in the US, raising their young family.
Prince Harry and Markle welcomed their first child, Prince Archie of Sussex, in 2019 and in 2021, they welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
Their youngest child has just celebrated her birthday and the aftermath has led Prince Harry and Markle’s fans to blast the royals.
People magazine reports her birthday celebrations included close friends, non-royal family members and the child’s friends.
This is the second time Prince Harry and Markle have celebrated their daughter’s birthday in the US rather than the UK.
Lilibet’s older cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, have their birthdays marked with new photographs on the royals’ social media profiles.
For example, Princess Charlotte’s birthday was on May 2 – over on Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s Instagram page, they posted a photo of their daughter alongside the caption: “Happy 9th Birthday, Princess Charlotte! Thank you for all of the kind messages today.”
However, Lilibet – just like her older brother – hasn’t received any public birthday wishes from the royal family, leading to a backlash.
One person writes: “She is an innocent three-year-old, they have no respect for their own grandchild and niece.”
A second says: “Absolutely disgusting. Whatever has gone on between them is NOTHING to do with the children! They shouldn’t be punished for their parents and grandparents/uncle not getting along!”
In agreement, a third person comments: “I find that sad. No matter if the adults have fallen out, the children shouldn’t be dragged into it!”
“Very sad! He [Prince Harry] may not be a working royal but he is part of the family and so are his children. Terrible way to treat them,” shares another.
Others have taken to social media and defended the royals, suggesting Lilibet has received birthday wishes privately.
“I’m sure they got birthday presents and cards in private,” someone suggests.
Another adds: “They are not working members of the royal family but it doesn’t mean that they haven’t sent personal cards.”
Lilibet hasn’t publically been wished a happy birthday by the royals for an important reason.
The royal family typically reserves such messages for working members, which Lilibet’s parents no longer are.
HELLO!‘s Online Royal Correspondent Danielle Stacey says this practice has particularly been observed under the reign of King Charles.
Although the monarch hasn’t publically wished his granddaughter a happy birthday, it’s been reported he’s made a gesture for the young princess.
Royal expert Tom Quinn tells the Mirror: “King Charles had no intention of completely ignoring Lilibet’s birthday so he has sent a gift along with a message.”
He claims the king is saving a special gift for Lilibet, which she will receive when ‘the family feud dies down’.
