A new royal book has shed some light on the late Queen Elizabeth II’s first meeting with her great-granddaughter Princess Lilibet.
During her platinum jubilee celebrations in June 2022, Queen Elizabeth II spent some time with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter. It’s believed it was the first time the late queen had met her great-granddaughter, who was born in June 2021.
Lilibet’s first birthday coincided with the platinum jubilee celebrations, which celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s incredible 70-year reign.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the UK from the US to attend the celebrations. They brought their children Archie, now six, and Lilibet, now four, with them.
Queen Elizabeth II’s first meeting with Princess Lilibet
In his new biography of the late monarch, Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. Her Story, Robert Hardman reflects on the moment Lilibet met her great-grandmother, who she is named after.
Hardman writes: “The queen would finally get to meet Lilibet and was thrilled, say friends, as the 1-year-old crawled around her feet.”
The meeting came just a few months before Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022.
Prince Harry also discussed the meeting in his memoir Spare.
He wrote: “I also couldn’t stop picturing [the children] with Granny. The final visit. Archie making deep, chivalrous bows, his baby sister Lilibet cuddling the monarch’s shins.
“Sweetest children, Granny said, sounding bemused. She’d expected them to be a bit more…American, I think? Meaning, in her mind, more rambunctious.”
Queen’s ‘final wish’ for her great-grandchildren
Elsewhere in Hardman’s book, he revealed Queen Elizabeth II’s last request about her great-grandchildren.
The queen would finally get to meet Lilibet and was thrilled, say friends, as the 1-year-old crawled around her feet.
In the weeks before her death, the queen spent her summer break at Balmoral. She traditionally spent the summer at the Scottish estate. She died at the castle on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96.
According to Hardman, the queen wanted all of her great-grandchildren to visit Balmoral over that summer.
Who are the queen’s great-grandchildren?
Queen Elizabeth II was a great-grandmother to Peter Phillips’ daughters Savannah and Isla Phillips, Prince William’s children George, Charlotte and Louis as well as Zara Tindall’s kids Mia, Lena and Lucas.
She was also a great-grandmother to Prince Harry’s children Archie and Lilibet, Princess Eugenie’s son August as well as Princess Beatrice’s daughter Sienna.
Monday, November 21 brings fresh drama in Coronation Street spoilers as Becky Swain is shaken when a funeral wreath is left on her doorstep.
Meanwhile, Carl plays cruel mind games, convincing Debbie her health is deteriorating.
Here’s the full rundown of Monday’s Coronation Street spoilers…
1. Becky receives a death threat
Becky’s left shaken when a funeral wreath is delivered to her door, chillingly inscribed ‘Rest in Peace – Again!’
The disturbing gesture sends Betsy into panic, but Becky wastes no time. She confronts Costello, warning the threat is deadly serious and vows to track down whoever’s behind it.
2. Costello’s message sends shivers
In the precinct, Becky secretly snaps photos of a group of teenage girls.
At the station, Kit heads in for his promotion interview just as Costello receives a chilling message – a photo of his daughter. Shaken, Costello takes a call from Becky.
Outside the office, Kit lingers, listening with growing curiosity.
3. Carl tricks Debbie in Coronation Street spoilers
With Debbie set to return to work, Carl Webster quietly marks Preston’s Petals’ invoice as ‘paid.’ When Tracy arrives with flowers, Carl tells Ronnie that Debbie claimed the bill was settled, though no record exists.
Facing Tracy, Carl insists the payment was missed by mistake but promises to fix it.
4. Debbie worries about her symptoms
As Tracy rages, Debbie crumbles and admits to Ronnie that her health is getting worse. Ronnie pleads with her to step away from work, but will Debbie take his advice?
5. Cassie comes to Tyrone’s rescue in Coronation Street spoilers
Worn out and hiding her guilt, Fiz tells Tyrone that Cilla needs surgery and has no one to care for her. Tyrone urges Fiz to go, promising he can manage alone for a few days.
Later, at the cab office, Tyrone asks Cassie for a lift to physio. She removes her headset and insists on driving him herself. Will Tyrone make progress at the session?
6. Theo and Todd plan for their half marathon
Todd fumes that manipulative Theo Silverton is forcing him into a half marathon. But Theo insists it’s all for Todd’s own good and warns there’s another gruelling run lined up later as part of the training.
7. Kevin turns to DIY
Kevin proudly shows off a barrel of beer and a dartboard to Steve and Dev. He explains he’s building his own makeshift pub, all to keep out of Abi and Carl’s way.
8. Dev prepares to visit Asha
Dev shares that Asha’s asked him to come to the unit tomorrow, but what’s behind her request?
Read more: Christmas is coming to Coronation Street: 2025 festive spoiler round-up
Coronation Street usually airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV.
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Two more great-grandchildren were born after the queen’s death: Eugenie’s second son Ernest and Beatrice’s second daughter, Athena.
Read more: King Charles set to ‘address the nation in poignant moment’ for Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday
Hardman writes in his book: “The queen wanted all the great-grandchildren to come up to Balmoral at some point over that summer, even if the Sussexes might not be able to make it.
“‘She wanted to make sure that they all had a really happy memory of her,’ explained a friend of the family.”
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