Princess Lilibet celebrated her third birthday on June 4, 2024, with a party at her family's home in Montecito, California. The event, attended by close family and friends, did not include any members of the British Royal Family, reflecting the ongoing estrangement between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their respective families.
Two years ago, during Lilibet's first birthday in the UK, Meghan Markle's friend Garcelle Beauvais criticized the absence of the Prince and Princess of Wales. At that time, Prince William and Princess Kate were busy with rehearsals for the late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee in Cardiff.
Despite the family's continued residence in California, royal tensions remain evident. Prince Harry and Meghan have faced scrutiny over their children's limited interactions with the Royal Family. Royal expert Phil Dampier highlighted the potential future repercussions, with Lilibet and her older brother Archie likely to have questions about their distant relationship with their grandparents and cousins.
The Royal Family did not publicly acknowledge Lilibet's birthday this year, as there is no established protocol for celebrating non-working royals' milestones.