Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryinvited members of the royal family to their daughter Princess Lilibet’schristening last Friday, PEOPLE has learned.
According to a source, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex extended an invite toKing Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William andKate Middleton, but they were not in attendance.
An insider tells PEOPLE there were between 20-30 guests at Friday’s intimate gathering, including Meghan’s mother,Doria Ragland, Lilibet’s godfather,Tyler Perry, and an unnamed godmother.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s daughter Princess Lilibet.Misan Harriman
In anexclusive interview with PEOPLEin January, Prince Harry spoke of his wish for his children to have ameaningful relationshipwith the royal family.
“I’ve said before that I’ve wanted a family, not an institution—so of course, I would love nothing more than for our children to have relationships with members of my family, and they do with some, which brings me great joy,” Harry said.
Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle.Kirsty O’Connor/AP/Shutterstock
During a virtual event for his bestselling memoirSparelast weekend, Harry talked about “feeling more and more distant” from his family in the U.K.
King Charles and Queen Camilla.Chris Jackson/Getty
The couple’s spokesperson confirmed that they were “requested to vacate their residence,” while Charles’s brother Prince Andrew — disgraced because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein — has reportedly been offered the five-bedroom residence.
The palace has not commented on the decision, and a royal source says that discussions about the reshuffle are private family matters.
It hasn’t been lost on observers that the news emerged after the publication of Harry’s revealing memoir, which has intensified the rift between the Duke of Sussex and his family — though the couple knew about the move before the book came out, PEOPLE understands.
There is also the issue of how the property shake-up will affect Charles’s upcoming coronation on May 6. Harry and Meghan have received an invite to the ceremony, but their spokesperson says “an immediate decision” on whether they’ll attend will “not be disclosed” at this time.
source: people.com
