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Privacy Notice Queen Elizabeth II absolutely adored her 12 great-grandchildren, but it was extra special when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose to honour her by naming their daughter Lilibet. The adorable moniker harks back to the Queen’s own childhood when she couldn’t quite pronounce Elizabeth, and thus ‘Lilibet’ became a term of endearment within the Royal Family. But the Queen’s former footman, Paul Burrell, revealed that after Prince Harry and Meghan relocated to the US, the distance from Lilibet was a source of sorrow for the Queen in her later years. Despite health challenges, she was eager to spend time with her namesake. And on one occasion she even had a touching surprise for Lilibet, but was never able to give it to her.
‘Lilibet’ became a term of endearment within the Royal Family
(Image: PA)
“Even on Lilibet’s first birthday the Queen didn’t see her,” Paul shared with the Mirror. “She saw her the day before. But on her birthday, the Queen had a birthday cake made with one candle in it. And they never turned up. That candle was never lit.” Instead, Lilibet’s first birthday was marked with a casual picnic at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, while the Queen, facing mobility issues, had to bow out of attending the Epsom Derby in Surrey, which was part of her jubilee festivities. Paull recalled a poignant moment, sharing: “The next day she asked if maybe they’d like to come up for tea again and was told they’ve gone,” and he went on to share the Queen’s reaction: “‘What do you mean they’ve gone? ‘ she said. They’ve gone back to America. ‘Oh no, they never said goodbye’.” Sign up to OK!’s royal newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Queen Elizabeth II passed away on 8 September 2022
(Image: Getty)
He explained that the Queen, who sadly passed away in September 2022, was left “confused” by the sudden departure, questioning, “How could you offend our Queen? ” Paul expressed his disbelief, as he said: “Well, I don’t understand anyone that could do that. Not her family, why would you want to? She was devoid of jealousy, anger, envy, all those traits that we associate with other people she didn’t have. She was just a very simple soul. I wish the world could have known her the way I knew her.” Paul also reflected on the Royal Family’s loss, as she said: “All the family dearly loved our Queen, and they will all be remembering her in their own particular ways. She was a mother, a granny, a great granny to all of them. And they all miss her.”Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnMeghan MarklePaul BurrellPrincePrince HarryPrincess DianaThe Queen
