Tensions have escalated following the recent emergence of photos from Princess Eugenie’s son August's first birthday party, raising doubts about the existence of Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.
Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, hosted an opulent celebration at Frogmore Cottage over the weekend to mark August’s milestone. The guest list featured notable attendees such as the Queen, Princess Beatrice and her family, and Zara and Mike Tindall with their children. However, conspicuously absent were the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan and Harry.
Reports indicate that Meghan and Harry neither RSVP'd nor sent a gift for their cousin’s son's birthday, despite Eugenie having extended hospitality to them on several occasions, including allowing them to reside at Frogmore before they stepped down as senior Royals. Sources suggest that Eugenie was deeply offended by the apparent disregard for her efforts to include Harry and his family.
The situation intensified when exclusive photographs from the garden party began circulating online. Royal enthusiasts quickly noticed the conspicuous absence of any acknowledgment or sign of Lilibet—whether in the form of a gift or card from her parents. This glaring omission sparked speculation about Lilibet’s existence, with some questioning whether she might be a fabrication devised by the Sussexes for publicity. Many wondered why, if Lilibet is indeed real, she wasn’t brought to the UK to meet her British relatives. If she couldn’t travel, it was expected that Harry and Meghan would at least have sent a photo or note acknowledging their daughter's presence. Yet, no mention of Lilibet appeared in any of the birthday images.
Sources reveal that Eugenie found this absence deeply insulting, especially since she had welcomed Lilibet during a brief UK visit last summer. The lack of tangible evidence supporting Lilibet’s existence led Eugenie to doubt the authenticity of the Sussexes' narrative. She began to question whether the Sussexes might be fabricating aspects of their lives for media attention and lucrative deals. The situation was exacerbated when Eugenie liked an Instagram comment suggesting that Lilibet does not exist, inadvertently fueling rumors and casting further doubt.
The social media fallout quickly reached Harry and Meghan, causing significant distress. According to a Palace insider, Meghan has been frantic, reaching out to Royal contacts in a desperate bid to secure an official statement affirming Lilibet’s existence. She fears that continued public skepticism could jeopardize their brand and their lucrative Netflix deal. Meanwhile, Harry is reportedly outraged with Eugenie for fueling such controversy, accusing her of betrayal rather than handling the matter discreetly as Royal protocol dictates.
Tensions between the once-close Royal cousins have reached a breaking point. All eyes are now on Buckingham Palace, awaiting any intervention from the Queen to quell the family drama before it spirals further. Though the Queen has remained characteristically reserved, it is widely anticipated that an emergency summit is underway behind closed doors. The responsibility now rests with the Queen to publicly confirm Lilibet’s existence unequivocally. Should the Queen fail to do so, some experts believe it could irreparably damage any remaining hopes of reconciling the California and British branches of the family. With Andrew already tarnishing the monarchy's reputation, the Queen cannot afford another public relations debacle involving fabricated royals and family disputes.
As these dramatic developments unfold, Sussex supporters are undoubtedly on edge. However, given the repeated slights and disregard experienced by Eugenie, it’s not entirely surprising that she would seek concrete proof. The circumstances might explain why she is demanding clarity after feeling repeatedly disrespected.
