Why baby Lilibet’s christening will be a key indicator amidst royal ‘rift’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their daughter Lilibet in June and her christening could give a key indication of their relationship with the Royal Family during their so-called “rift”. 

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced the birth of their daughter Lilibet last month, naming her after her great-grandmother the Queen.  
• Now a royal commentator has suggested that baby Lilibet’s christening location could speak volumes about her parents’ so-called “rift” with the Royal Family.  
• This royal news comes as the surprising woman who inspires Kate Middleton's parenting style was revealed.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, delightedly announced the birth of their daughter, Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana, last month. She is the Queen's eleventh great-grandchild and was born in California, although contrary to popular belief, she was not the first royal to be born in the US. It is here that the Sussexes settled after “stepping down” as senior members of the Royal Family last year. Named in honor of Her Majesty and Princess Diana, it’s said that the Queen has already met Lilibet for the first time over video call. 

Now a royal commentator has suggested that baby Lilibet’s christening could give a key indication of the relationship between Prince Harry and Meghan and the Royal Family. Writing for news.com.au, Daniela Elser reflected on the implications of the choice of location for the event. 

She explained, “If the Sussexes were to decide they wanted the christening to happen back in the UK, perhaps even in September when it has been rumored that both Harry and Meghan will return to London, then it would be construed as an olive branch after years of intra-family squabbling and rancour.”

Daniela also speculated that if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were to hold it in the US, it could speak volumes about their relationship with the Royal Family, as it would mean that the Queen would be unlikely to attend.

“However, if the Sussexes decided to hold the ceremony in California, thus precluding the Queen who no longer travels internationally from attending, it would be seen as nothing less than a clear rejection of the Royal Family,” she continued. 

“There is also a third option here: They decide to skip a baptism entirely. But again, this too would be read as deeply disrespectful to Her Majesty given she is, after all, the head of the Church of England.”

These comments come after months of rumored tension between the royals and the Sussexes following their “tell-all” Oprah Winfrey interview which aired in March. 

This saw Prince Harry and Meghan make a series of shocking revelations about life in the Royal Family. Her Majesty's response was “careful and constructive”, declaring that the Sussexes “remain much-loved members of the family”. Following this, Prince Harry went on to discuss “genetic pain and suffering” being “passed on” during an appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast. 

It’s said that the Queen has taken his comments about parenting in the Royal Family “very personally” during what was already a difficult time after Prince Philip’s death. Although she would likely be delighted to reunite with the Sussexes for Lilibet's christening. 

If Prince Harry and Meghan do decide to hold this in the UK, it would allow the Queen to be fully involved and would celebrate their relationship with their wider family.