A year after Queen Elizabeth’s death, we may have some insight into an incident that happened behind the scenes in her last months. Paul Burrell, the longest reigning monarch’s former footman, sat down for an interview and shared a story about the Queen involving Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle. In this story, Paul alleges the Duke and Duchess of Sussex snubbed the Queen on daughter Lilibet’s first birthday. The toddler's name was her late great-grandmother's nickname.
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The Queen was reportedly ready to celebrate the occasion.
"Even on Lilibet's first birthday the Queen didn't see her," Paul told The Mirror. "She saw her the day before. But on her birthday, the Queen had a birthday cake made with one candle in it. And they never turned up. That candle was never lit."
Harry and Meghan did celebrate Lilibet's birthday — just not with her great-grandmother.
Harry and Meghan, along with Archie and Lilibet, were in England to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, which happened to fall around the same time as Lilibet's birthday. The proud parents had a small garden party at Frogmore Cottage for Lili’s first birthday with members of the royal family, including Harry’s cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips and their children.
The footman's intel may not be totally accurate, though.
A source told Page Six that there is "no truth" to Paul’s claims.
"They did see the Queen to celebrate Lili’s birthday," the source explained. On Lili’s birthday, the Queen was supposed to attend the Epsom Derby in Surrey, which was part of her jubilee celebrations, but due to failing health, she did not attend the horse race.
The Queen's feelings were hurt by the apparent snub.
"The next day, she asked if maybe they’d like to come up for tea again and was told they’ve gone," Paul claimed. "'What do you mean they’ve gone?' she said. 'They’ve gone back to America.' 'Oh no, they never said goodbye.'"
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It didn't seem to affect her feelings for her great-granddaughter.
He also claimed that the Queen was "confused" by the couple’s decision to leave, adding, "How could you offend our Queen? Well, I don’t understand anyone that could do that. Not her family, why would you want to?"
Despite the apparent snub, the royal family's official account tweeted, "Wishing Lilibet a very Happy 1st Birthday!" to celebrate her anyway.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
