Members of Prince Harry’s family ‘DID go to Princess Lilibet’s christening’ despite snub by Charles and senior royals
MEMBERS of Prince Harry’s family did go to Princess Lilibet’s christening, reports say.
Prince Harry, 38, and Meghan Markle, 41, christened their 21-month-old daughter in an intimate ceremony earlier this month which was followed by a party at their Montecito home in California.
Senior members of the Royal Family had been invited but did not attend, according to People magazine.
Instead, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were joined by three-year-old son Archie, Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland, Lili‘s godfather Tyler Perry and between 20 and 30 close friends.
However, it has now been reported that his aunts on his mother’s side did attend.
Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, the older sisters of Princess Diana, are said to have been among the guests, according to Marie Claire.
It’s unclear when Harry last saw his aunts, although they have been present at many of the important events in his life, along with his uncle, Earl Spencer.
Harry and Prince William have remained close to their aunts and uncle on their mum’s side since Diana died in 1997.
The royal brothers were last pictured alongside their aunts in 2021 when they united to unveil a statue to honour Diana in Kensington Palace.
Both Harry and Wills were pictured greeting both Lady Sarah and Lady Jane with hugs and kisses.
Few details have emerged about the christening party but the ceremony was hosted by Reverend John Taylor.
A gospel choir is also said to have performed Oh Happy Day and This Little Light of Mine, which was also played at Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018.
Traditionally, a royal christening is a small, family affair held in the historic chapels of Buckingham Palace or Windsor.
Archie was christened at eight weeks old in a quiet, private ceremony in front of about 25 guests at Windsor Castle on July 6, 2019.
An insider said: “Attendees were treated to an afternoon of food and dancing — with Archie enjoying a dance with his little sister.”
It’s understood Prince Harry and King Charles agreed to give Archie and Lilibet new titles after discussions following the Queen’s funeral.
The children will now be known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet following talks late last year.
A spokesperson for Meghan and Harry told PEOPLE: “I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor.”
The statement was the first time Lili was publicly referred to as a princess.
Harry and Meg are thought to be keen not to deny their children their birth-right, but allow them the chance to decide for themselves whether to drop or keep using their titles when they get older.
As the children of a sovereign’s son, Archie and Lili are automatically a prince and princess and now have an HRH style if they choose.
When Archie was born in May 2019, he was seventh in line to the throne so was too far down the line of succession.
Although he was a great-grandchild of the monarch, he was not a first-born son of a future king, so was not automatically a prince.
It comes as Harry and Meghan have not yet made their mind up whether they will attend the King’s coronation on May 6.
The controversial couple were invited to the historic event in May but there is uncertainty over their accommodation after they were evicted from Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, Berkshire.
The duke and duchess will hand over the keys to Frogmore, which has reportedly been offered to Prince Andrew instead.
However, they won’t have to give the property up until after the King is crowned on May 6, meaning they can stay there if they choose to attend.
Elsewhere, Prince Harry was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder in a tell-all interview with the controversial trauma expert Dr Gabor Maté.