The Spencer family recently stirred controversy by declaring that "Lilibet never existed," insisting that Charlotte Diana—the daughter of Princess Diana's late sibling—is the sole legitimate granddaughter in the Spencer line. This claim directly challenges the royal status of Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, the daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, sparking a fierce backlash from Meghan and her supporters.
Known affectionately as Lilibet or Lili, she was born on June 4, 2021, in Santa Barbara, California, making her King Charles III's granddaughter and a unique figure as the first royal great-grandchild born in the United States. Despite this, there have been ongoing disputes over the recognition of her royal titles and place in the succession line, especially amid tensions within the royal family and differing visions for the future monarchy.
The Spencer family’s declaration rejects Lilibet’s legitimacy, emphasizing a traditional lineage that excludes children born outside the UK or under non-traditional circumstances. This stance appears to undermine Meghan’s carefully managed public image and the royal status granted to her children by royal letters patent.
Meghan Markle’s camp is said to have “exploded” with anger at this challenge, viewing it as a deliberate attempt to delegitimize her family and fuel divisive royal controversies. This feud highlights deeper family conflicts over tradition, heritage, and modern identity within the British aristocracy.
Despite the disputes, Princess Lilibet continues to hold a position in the official royal family tree as seventh in line to the throne, alongside her brother Archie. Her unique upbringing, away from the typical royal spotlight, encapsulates the Sussexes' desire to blend privacy with their royal legacy.
In summary, the Spencer family’s rejection of Lilibet as a true granddaughter of the Diana lineage has ignited royal tensions and exposed ongoing battles over legitimacy and identity in the modern royal family, deeply upsetting Meghan and her supporters.