Why Queen Elizabeth refused Prince Harry, Meghan's photographer during Lilibet meeting

Queen Elizabeth II reportedly gave Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a firm "no" when they asked to photograph the moment she met their daughter, Princess Lilibet, for the first time.

According to The Sun, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were hoping to have their personal photographer capture the touching family moment during their 2022 visit to the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

The trip coincided with Lilibet's first birthday, and marked the infant royal’s first and only meeting with her great-grandmother.

“Harry and Meghan wanted their photographer to capture the moment Lilibet met the Queen,” a source revealed. 

“But they were told no chance. It was a private family meeting.”

The reasoning was reportedly because palace officials were concerned the couple might release the photo to American media outlets or use it in upcoming media projects. 

“There were fears any photos taken by the couple’s photographer would be shared with US telly networks,” the insider added.

Lilibet, born on June 4, 2021, was named after the Queen’s beloved childhood nickname, making the moment especially symbolic. 

In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry reflected on the encounter, writing that Queen Elizabeth reacted warmly to her great-grandchildren: “Archie making his deep 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 more rambunctious.”

The Queen passed away just three months later, in September 2022.

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