'Real reason' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didn't invite royals to Lilibet's birthday

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didn't invite the Royal Family to their daughter's birthday party so they could "avoid potential drama", according to an expert.

Princess Lilibet celebrated her third birthday on Tuesday, with her parents hosting a special birthday bash over the weekend. The party was reportedly attended by celebrities including Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, but the royals didn't make an appearance.

Royal author Tom Quinn said the Sussexes failed to send out invitations to the Royal Family and now relationship expert Louella Alderson has suggested why.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: "Given the tensions between the Royal Family and Harry and Meghan, it's not surprising that they chose to celebrate Princess Lilibet's birthday privately with their own close circle of friends and family."

She added: "Their decision to exclude the Royal Family from the celebration could suggest that there is still unresolved tension or distance between them.

"It's also possible that Harry and Meghan wanted to have a more intimate and personal celebration for their daughter's first birthday without any outside interference or potential drama.

"They may have felt that celebrating with just their closest loved ones would create a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone involved."

Louella said there still seems to be tension between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, adding: "It seems that the relationships between Harry and Meghan and the Royal Family are still strained. Princess Kate and King Charles' illnesses don't seem to have opened any communication channels as of yet."

Louella continued: "However, it's important to remember that family dynamics and relationships are complex and can take time to heal. It's possible that Harry and Meghan are still working through their feelings towards the Royal Family and may eventually choose to involve them in future celebrations or events once they have had more time to heal."

Sharing what happened at Lilibet's birthday bash, royal expert Tom Quinn said: "Rather than go for a low-key celebration Harry and Meghan have spent the past weekend enjoying a pre-birthday bash for their daughter Lillibet's third birthday – hugely expensive presents have been ruled out but the couple's mansion in California was awash with celebrities including Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom and their daughter Daisy who is just a few months older than Lilibet."

He added that it was "shocking" that no invitiation were issuesd to members of the Royal Family, with one of Harry's army friends reportedly saying: "Harry knew they wouldn't come anyway and he was pretty sure he would not have wanted them there.

"But he is really sad that Archie and Lilibet cannot have any kind of relationship with their cousins while his feud with his family continues."