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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Harry and Meghan get Lilibet christened at home - but royals snub invite

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter Lilibet has been christened in California, it has been revealed - but the royals snubbed the ceremony.

The one-year-old is said to have been christened last Friday at her home in Montecito, California, with around 20 to 30 people in attendance for the celebration.

Among those at the intimate gathering were said to be Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, Lilibet's godfather Tyler Perry and an unnamed godmother.

A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said: "I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor."

Harry and Meghan with their children Archie and Lilibet (EPN/Newscom / Avalon)
Harry and Meghan pictured together in December (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

It is the first time Lili has been publicly referred to as Princess. She became entitled to become a princess when her grandfather King Charles acceded to the throne.

The rules set out by King George V in 1917 mean Harry and Meghan's older son Archie and Lili, as the children of a son of a sovereign, are automatically a prince and a princess and also now have an HRH style if they choose to use it.

However, it is understood Lili's title of princess and Archie's title as a prince will be used in formal settings, but not in everyday conversational use by the couple. This has yet to be updated on the royal family website, with the children still referred to as miss and master.

Harry and Meghan are understood to be keen to not deny their children their birth-right, but to allow them the chance to decide for themselves when older whether to drop or keep using the titles.

King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate did not attend the christening (BUCKINGHAM PALACE/AFP via Getty)

Buckingham Palace said the royal website "will now be updated in due course" to reflect the titles.

A royal source confirmed the King was notified of Harry and Meghan’s intention to use the titles for their children, adding: "The appropriate conversations have taken place ahead of today’s news (of Lilibet’s christening)."

Meanwhile, a source told PEOPLE magazine that Meghan, 41, and Harry, 38, extended an invite to Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales - but they were not in attendance for the ceremony.

According to the magazine, attendees were treated to an afternoon of food and dancing following the sister, with three-year-old Archie seen dancing with his little sister.

It also adds that godfather Tyler Perry flew in a 10-person gospel choir from Atlanta to sing at the event, with the group performing 'Oh Happy Day' and 'This Little Light of Mine' - a song also performed at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018.

Harry and Meghan's friend Tyler Perry, who revealed he was asked to be Lilibet's godfather (Netflix)

He had been spotted flying into California last week last week for a visit to Harry and Meghan's Montecito mansion.

Lilibet's christening comes after it was addressed in Harry and Meghan's controversial Netflix series, which was released in December.

In it Tyler confirmed he had been asked to be the little girl's godfather and recalled the moment the Sussexes asked him if he would carry out the role.

He said: "I take a minute to take that in, and I thought I’d be honoured. I’d absolutely be honoured.

Harry and Meghan with Archie at his christening in 2019 (SussexRoyal via Getty Images)

"And I got off the phone, took it all in, then I called them back, I go ‘Ah hold on a second, does this mean we got to go over there and do all of that in the church with them and figure all that out, because I don’t want to do that.

"Maybe we can do a little private ceremony here and let that be that and if you have to do it there then it’s OK."

Lilibet's christening is worlds away from her brother Archie's with his taking place at Windsor Castle in July 2019.

Among those in attendance that day were Charles, Camilla, William and Kate along with the late Princess Diana's sisters Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale.

However, while other royals before them allowed the press to take photos of them arriving at the church, Meghan and Harry kept the entire day behind closed doors.

Instead, they released a couple of lovely photos to mark to occasion - including a gorgeous family shot - and have never revealed Archie's godparents.

News of Lilibet's christening comes just days after it was confirmed that the Sussexes have been invited to King Charles' Coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6.

Following the publication of Harry’s controversial memoir Spare, it has been unclear whether he and Meghan would be invited to the ceremony on May 6.

According to reports, Harry has been in contact with Charles’ representatives concerning their attendance.

But the duke has said that he would not yet be disclosing whether a decision had been made on his and Meghan’s attendance.

A Sussex spokesperson said: “I can confirm the duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty’s office regarding the coronation.

“An immediate decision on whether the duke and duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time.”

Last week, the couple also confirmed they had been "asked to vacate" their UK home Frogmore Cottage.

Reports have claimed the move was sanctioned by the King and it will remove their remaining foothold in the UK and further weaken ties with the royal family.

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