Royal Family skips public birthday wishes for Archie and Lilibet

The absence of public tributes stems from a tradition that typically excludes non-working royals.

The royal family didn't publicly recognize Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's son Archie on his 5th birthday, and it's not the first time the Sussexes have gone without acknowledgement. According to royal correspondent Danielle Stacey, the royal family’s social media accounts have only extended public birthday wishes to working royals since King Charles III's reign began in September 2022. That includes the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Princess Royal.

Stacey explained to HELLO! after Archie's birthday on May 6, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020 and no longer carry out royal duties. Similarly, the palace doesn’t typically share messages on Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Zara Tindall's birthdays or their children's special days.”

Harry, like Archie, didn't receive a public message from the royal family for his own 39th birthday in September 2023. He spent the day in Germany at the Invictus Games, where the crowd serenaded him with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" during a volleyball match.

After tying the knot in May 2018, Harry and Meghan welcomed Archie in 2019 and their daughter Lilibet in June 2021, following their move to California. Before stepping back from their royal duties, Harry and Meghan received public birthday tributes from Prince William and Princess Kate. But since 2020, that practice has ceased, with Lilibet’s 2nd birthday in June 2023 also lacking an official message. According to a source who spoke with *Us Weekly*, “the Palace did not snub Lilibet,” adding that there's no protocol for celebrating non-working royals.

Despite this, Meghan had a memorable 42nd birthday celebration. She was seen at Tre Lune in Montecito, California, with Harry before spending more time with friends while he was out of town. Entrepreneur Myka Harris posted a selfie on her Instagram Story with Meghan, poet Cleo Wade, and hair colorist Kadi Lee.

Working royals continue to receive traditional recognition, whether on social media or through gestures like the bells ringing at Westminster Abbey in London for King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.