The late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 was not only a historic celebration of her 70-year reign but also a significant family moment for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in the United Kingdom for the festivities, which coincided with their daughter Princess Lilibet's first birthday and her first meeting with her great-grandmother.
A Family Milestone at Frogmore Cottage
Lilibet, named after the Queen's childhood nickname, was in Britain with her parents for the jubilee celebrations. To mark her birthday, Harry and Meghan hosted a relaxed garden party at Frogmore Cottage, complete with face painting and family time under the Windsor sun. However, according to reports from the time, one birthday request went unfulfilled, and it involved the Queen herself.
The Denied Photographer Request
The Sun reported that Harry and Meghan hoped to have a photographer present to document the poignant moment when the Queen met her great-granddaughter. Yet the request was firmly declined. "Harry and Meghan wanted their photographer to capture the moment Lilibet met the Queen. But they were told no chance. It was a private family meeting," an unnamed insider revealed. The reasoning behind the refusal? Palace officials were reportedly concerned that any photographs could find their way to American broadcasters. According to the same insider: "There were fears any photos of the Queen and Lilibet taken by the couple's photographer would be shared by them with US telly networks."
Harry's Treasured Memory in 'Spare'
In his memoir Spare, Harry candidly revealed how deeply he treasured that encounter between his children and the Queen, particularly with hindsight following her passing later that year. Recalling the moment, he wrote: "Archie making his deep bows, his baby sister Lilibet cuddling the monarch's shins. Sweetest children, Granny said, sounding bemused. She'd expected them to be a bit more ... American, I think? Meaning in her mind, more rambunctious."
New Details from Legal Proceedings
Although the Sussexes have kept much of what happened during that meeting under wraps, fresh details emerged through legal proceedings involving Prince Harry and Daily Mail publishers, Associated News Limited. During a summary judgment in his libel case, a letter written by the Queen's private secretary was brought to light, revealing the monarch's continued concern for Harry and his family even after they stepped away from royal duties. "You will understand well that ensuring that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain safe is of paramount importance to Her Majesty and her family," the letter stated. It went on to stress: "Given the duke's public profile by virtue of being born into the royal family, his military service, the duchess's own independent profile and the well-documented history of targeting of the Sussex family by extremists, it is imperative that the family continues to be provided with effective security."
