More than seven weeks after Lilibet was born, her name is still missing from the line of succession to the throne on the official British royal website.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter was born on June 4 at Santa Barbara Cotage Hospital in California. Although she does not have the HRH title, Lilibet is automatically in the line of succession to Queen Elizabeth II’s throne. She is eighth in line to the throne, just behind her older brother Archie.
But until now, more than 50 days since Lilibet was born, the official website of the British royal family has not updated this information.
Previously, Lilibet’s brother, Archie, was listed just 15 days after his birth. The site also listed Kate and William’s son Louis just 12 days after he was born.
Chris Ship, ITV’s royal editor, said: “You must be wondering what took them so long. All they had to do was add a line and enter the data. They’ve done it many times. They’ve listed Archie, Louis and even the most distant descendants, like Princess Eugenie’s son August. But where’s Lilibet? I wouldn’t have noticed if they were a week or two late, but it’s been over a month. Are they being a little too harsh? Are they ‘waiting until they’re ready’ to do this? I feel like they are, maybe they’re making a point through this.”
The line of succession to the throne on the royal family’s website as of July 25 still did not include Lilibet’s name.
In addition, Lilibet has not yet been christened. Harry and Meghan have announced that they want the ceremony to be held at Windsor Castle under the Queen’s witness. However, there has been no specific disclosure about the ceremony, the date and location in the UK or the US.
Sources close to the family said that the Sussexes’ failure to consult the Queen when naming their daughter after her childhood nickname, combined with Harry’s announcement of plans to write a memoir, had disrupted Lilibet’s christening.
Penny Junor, Harry’s former biographer, said: “The christening should have been a lovely event, with everyone getting together and having fun. If the relationship between the two sides remains as cold as before, I don’t see the christening taking place in Windsor.”
As a result, some believe Meghan could hold a baptism in the US and invite Bishop Michael Curry – who preached at their wedding – to preside.
Meghan has not been back to the UK since March last year and Harry’s last belongings were moved out of their old home, Frogmore Cottage, just days after his return to London to unveil a statue of his late mother Diana in early July.
Traditionally, royals are baptized within four months of birth.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on Lilibet’s christening, and a royal spokesman said the website would be “regularly updated”.