After it was revealed King Charles and Prince William snubbed an invite to Lilibet’s christening, it’s been revealed two of Harry’s family members were in attendance.
Members of Prince Harry’s family did go to Princess Lilibet’s christening, it’s been revealed, despite the occasion being snubbed by King Charles and senior royals, reports claim.
Prince Harry, 38, and wife 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, including Prince William and wife Kate Middleton, had been invited but did not attend.
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 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 had last seen his aunts, although they have been present at many of the important events in his life, along with his uncle, Earl Spencer.
Harry and 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 William were pictured greeting Lady Sarah and Lady Jane with hugs and kisses.
An archive photo of Princess Diana with her sister, Lady Jane Fellowes.
Lady Sarah Mccorquodale also attended the christening, it’s been reported. Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
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 said: “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 Lilibet was publicly referred to as a princess.
A photo from Harry and Meghan’s Netflix docuseries showed intimate moments from Lilibet’s first birthday. Picture: Netflix
Harry and Meghan are thought to be keen not to deny their children their birthright, 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 Lilibet 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 firstborn 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.
This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
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