Queen to meet Lilibet on first birthday, say royal insiders, after disappointing Jubillee

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter, Lilibet Diana, will spend her first birthday with the Queen, according to royal insiders

Queen to meet Lilibet on birthday after Jubilee cancellation
(Image credit: ANDREW MATTHEWS / Contributor / Getty Images)

The Queen is expected to meet Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter, Lilibet, for the first time on the Sussex baby's birthday this weekend, according to royal insiders.


The Queen is expected to join Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to celebrate their daughter's first birthday over the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, much to the excitement of royal fans. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel to the UK this week with their two children, Archie, 3, and eleven-month-old Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, in honor of the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty's reign. The visit marks the A-list couple's first joint trip to Britain since their controversial withdrawal from the Royal Family in January 2020 and subsequent emigration to the US. 

It will also see baby Lilibet, who was born in California last year, come face-to-face with her great-grandmother for the first time. The Queen has reportedly already met the Sussexes' youngest tot on Whatsapp video calls, but has yet to cuddle her namesake in person. 

Meghan and harry

(Image credit: Getty)

Lilibet's first birthday happens to fall on the same day as the Epsom Derby on 4 June, which will is expected to be attended by Princess Anne in the absence of Her Majesty. The 96-year-old monarch has been forced to pull out of the horseracing festival due to her 'episodic mobility issues', royal sources have told the Telegraph. 

Queen

The Queen used a buggy to move around the Chelsea Flower Show last week 

(Image credit: Getty)

The exciting meeting is just one of the many highlights that the Queen can anticipate over her Platinum Jubilee weekend, which will take place across the UK between Thursday 2 June, and Sunday, 5 June. The Royal Family is expected to turn their signature pomp and charm up to full volume during the celebrations, attending a jam-packed lineup of patriotic events – including Jubilee lunches at Windsor Castle and south London and a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral – in tribute to the beloved monarch's longstanding service. 

Unfortunately, it remains unclear how much of the Queen the public will see throughout the historic festivities. Buckingham Palace has said that the attendance of the royal matriarch, who has been suffering from declining health since October 2020, at the events will be confirmed closer to the date. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.