According to reports, Princess Diana’s older sisters, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, were present at Princess Lilibet’s christening.
Prince Harry’s two maternal aunts were reportedly among the 20-30 guests at the “intimate” ceremony and subsequent party held at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s country home in Montecito.
Earlier this week, Prince Harry (38) and Meghan Markle (41) confirmed in a statement that Princess Lilibet’s christening had taken place the previous Friday.
While very few details have been released about the christening ceremony, one thing that caught the eye of royal fans is that senior members of the royal family were invited but did not attend. However, it has now been reported that the other side of the Duke’s family was represented at the ceremony and celebration.
After People magazine revealed some details about the party, including that four-year-old Prince Archie danced with his sister while songs were played from the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, royal journalist and friend of the Sussexes Omid Scobie added that the guest list was missing four senior royals.
According to Marie Claire, Lady Sarah McCorquodale (left) and Lady Jane Fellowes (pictured with Earl Spencer) were reportedly present at Princess Lilibet Diana’s christening. Princess Diana’s older sisters were among 20-30 guests at the 21-month-old baby’s christening and subsequent party held at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s mansion in Montecito.
He posted on Twitter: “King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate were invited but did not attend.”
Mary Claire reported that Harry’s aunts, along with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, were on the entry list as relatives.
It’s not clear when the Duke of Sussex last saw his aunts, although they were present at his important life events along with Prince Harry’s uncle, Earl Spencer.
Both Harry and William have been very close to their maternal uncle and aunt since Princess Diana’s death in 1997.
The Duke of Sussex was last photographed with his aunts in 2021 when he and the Prince of Wales unveiled a statue of their late mother together at Kensington Palace.
Princess Lilibet Diana (pictured on her first birthday at Frogmore Cottage), was christened last Friday
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a statement confirming Lilibet’s christening and naming her “Princess Lilibet Diana,” prompting Buckingham Palace to update its title on its website to Princess Lilibet of Sussex
Both Harry and William were pictured warmly greeting Lady Sarah and Lady Jane with kisses and hugs.
Last week, his aunts were reportedly on a guest list of about 20-30, including Princess Lilibet’s godfather, Tyler Perry, who loaned the Sussexes his $18 million (£15 million) Beverly Hills mansion in 2020.
Another guest reportedly at the party was Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mother, who plays a big part in the Sussexes’ family life, as revealed in their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan.
Other details of the celebration are scarce, but People magazine reported that the ceremony was hosted by Reverend John Taylor last Friday.
They were serenaded by a gospel choir, believed to have sung Oh Happy Day and This Little Light of Mine – a song that was played at Meghan and Harry’s wedding.
Meanwhile, an insider revealed that after the ceremony, “those in attendance were treated to an afternoon of food and dancing – while Archie enjoyed a dance with his little sister!”
Details of the warm ceremony may echo Prince Harry’s revelation last weekend that he “smothered” his children with affection.
In an interview with controversial therapist Gabor Mate, the Duke said, “It leaves me in position now, as the father of two children of my own, making sure I smother them with love and affection.”
He was referring to claims he made in his bombshell memoir Spare that the royal family did not often physically touch each other.
It may come as no surprise that the couple hosted the party in their own home, as Meghan has previously discussed her attachment to the property as “free” and full of “joy.”
Not many details have been given about the decorations at the party, although Harry and Meghan’s mansion is reportedly outfitted with chic Soho House candles and the couple has a grand piano in their sitting room, gifted to them by Perry.
In an interview with The Cut last year, Meghan said of her house: “We did everything we could to get this house. ‘Cause you walk in and go… Joy. And exhale. And calm. It’s healing. You feel free.’
One of the first features Meghan and Harry saw was two palm trees, joined at the bottom, which the Duke claimed represented the beloved couple.
“And now Archie says every day when he comes to see us: ‘Hello Mum. Hello Papa,'” the Duchess explained.
After the announcement of Princess Lilibet Diana’s baptism, questions arose whether the youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex really bore the title ‘princess’.
After the Sussexes released a statement claiming it was her “birthright” to retain the title, Buckingham Palace revealed it would be updating both Lilibet’s and Archie’s titles on its website.
Within hours, the titles were updated and named Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. The line of succession was also updated to reflect their positions as sixth and seventh in line to the throne, behind their father Prince Harry.
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