Princess Lilibet turns 3 today – and has already been celebrating her birthday in style.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have kept celebrations around their children very low-key over the years and only showed short videos in their Netflix docuseries.
But insiders can reveal that the family had a party at their home in California over the weekend to mark the milestone.
Before the big day itself on Tuesday, the Sussexes hosted a gathering at their Montecito mansion, according to People.
The guest list featured a number of family members, although seemingly no royals, and some of Lilibet’s little friends.
Also obviously in attendance was Prince Archie, who recently turned 5.
The Royal Family won’t be making any sort of announcement for Lilibet’s birthday – and neither have Harry or Meghan for years.
According to US Weekly, the real reason is that there is “no protocol” to wish non-working members of the Firm birthday wishes.
However, the Royal Family did publicly mark Lilibet’s first birthday in June 2022. At the time, the official X account of the Royal Family wrote: “Wishing Lilibet a very happy 1st birthday!”
The Firm might choose to avoid public statements that could be misinterpreted or lead to further media scrutiny.
Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, royal expert, Phil Dampier said: “It is amazing that she’s already three but there is this underlying sadness of course because of the rift that the King is not seeing his grandchildren.”
Phil added: “I think he’s [King Charles] only met Lilibet possibly once and Archie only a couple of times and they are seventh and eighth in line to the throne, growing up in California on the West Coast of America with American accents and they just don’t see them.”
During Harry and Meghan’s visit to Nigeria in May, an emotional Meghan spoke about Lilibet’s phrase that blew her away.
She said: “Our daughter, Lili, she’s much, much tinier than you guys. She’s about to turn three, and a few weeks ago she looked at me and she would just see the reflection in my eyes.”
In a touching moment, Lilibet said to Meghan: “Mama, I see me in you.”