The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked her third birthday with much fanfare on Tuesday.
Despite her royal lineage, there was a noticeable absence of public well-wishes from prominent members of the British royal family, including her grandfather, the King, and her uncle, the Prince of Wales, along with his wife, Princess Catherine.
The reasoning behind this apparent snub is rooted in the royal family’s protocol, which dictates that only active participants in official royal duties receive public acknowledgments on the family’s social media platforms.
This practice has become more pronounced in recent years, particularly since the King’s ascension to the throne in September 2022.
According to Danielle Stacey, an online royal correspondent for Hello magazine, messages from the royal family’s official accounts are now reserved for working members such as the Prince and Princess of Wales and their offspring, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Princess Royal.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020, thereby relinquishing their official responsibilities within the royal family.
Consequently, it is not customary for the palace to issue statements or well-wishes for the birthdays of Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall, or their children.
This policy also explains the lack of public birthday greetings extended to Lilibet’s older brother, Prince Archie, on his fifth birthday last month.
Despite this, it is likely that the young princess, who resides in California, received a personal message from her grandfather, the King, who holds a deep affection for his youngest grandchild.
To celebrate Lilibet’s special day, the Sussexes hosted a pre-birthday gathering over the weekend at their Montecito residence.
The intimate event was attended by close friends, family members, and some of Lilibet’s young companions, as reported by People magazine.
The relaxed and joyous atmosphere of the celebration mirrored the past parties thrown by the Sussexes for their children, ensuring a memorable occasion for all in attendance.
While the royal family’s public silence may have raised eyebrows, it is evident that Lilibet was surrounded by love and warmth on her third birthday.