Why Prince William Reportedly Declined To Attend Lilibet's First Birthday Party

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's youngest child, daughter Lilibet Diana, celebrated her very first birthday this month. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted to hold a special first birthday party for their little girl while in the U.K., as they attended a number of Platinum Jubilee events, per The Sun.

The outlet reported that Lilibet's first birthday was a simple garden party, which Meghan and Harry held at Frogmore Cottage. Lilibet's birthday party was said to include picnic-like snacks and classic balloons and games. Of course, Lilibet also got a birthday cake to celebrate the day. "It was a lovely do and had everything you'd expect from a child's birthday party," an insider explained. Sources further revealed that there was no entertainment at the intimate bash, but that those close to the Sussexes were invited for an informal get-together (via Cosmopolitan). "The idea was for it to be very relaxed and casual, with people free to pop in and out as they wished," the source continued. 

The guest list reportedly included Harry's cousin Zara Tindall, along with her husband Mike and their children, Mia, 8, Lena, 3, and Lucas, 1, as well as Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly's children, Savannah, 11, and Isla, 10. Charlie Van Straubenzee, who is godfather to Harry and Meghan's son Archie, was reportedly invited, as well as Princess Charlotte's godfather, Tom Van Straubenzee.

"It was a nice opportunity for the other royal children to meet Lilibet for the first time," the source added. However, Prince William and Kate Middleton were said to be absent from the party.

According to Page Six, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did invite Prince William and Kate Middleton to their daughter Lilibet's first birthday party on Saturday. The Sussexes were said to have "extended an olive branch" to the Cambridges with the invitation despite the rift between the two families. However, William and Kate were unable to attend the event due to a previous engagement as a part of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee festivities. The outlet reports that when Meghan and Harry left the U.K. on Sunday, they did so without spending any alone time with William and Kate. This means that the Sussex kids didn't get to see their Cambridge cousins.

Although William and Kate were busy with the jubilee events, it's reported that they are still apprehensive about spending any solo time with Harry and Meghan out of fear of what might pop up in the media. "Things are still fraught — William is still wary of spending any time alone with Harry as you never quite know what may be reported back afterwards," a source revealed.

Meanwhile, The Daily Beast reports that none of the senior royal family members attended Lilibet's birthday party, but that many did share their well-wishes for the little girl online. Vanity Fair notes that Meghan and Harry left the U.K. shortly after Lilibet's birthday party, and returned home to California before the end of the Platinum Jubilee.