The King and Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family will mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth this week – yet Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been ‘snubbed’, claimed a royal expert.
The series of events – held around Her late Majesty’s birthday, April 21, the date she would have turned 100 – are thought to be official engagements so only working royals, such as The Princess Royal, will likely be present.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed the decision not to have a service or function with Elizabeth II’s extended family is ‘unfortunately’ because of those members who would’ve took the limelight from the late Queen had they been invited.
He told the Daily Mail: ‘Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are being snubbed as attention on this anniversary must be on one person.’
For Prince Philip’s 100th birthday, his grandchildren – even the non-working members – all took part in a documentary honouring the late Duke of Edinburgh, which aired after his death.
The late Queen’s milestone was marked with a similar programme, but the only grandchild to feature in the programme was Peter Phillips, Princess Anne’s son.
Mr Fitzwilliams said: ‘Ideally, especially since several of them have played a significant part in royal life and since Queen Elizabeth took her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England so much to heart, this anniversary would have been commemorated by either a service or by a function which included her grandchildren and great grandchildren.’
But the royal expert added: ‘An invitation could certainly not have been extended to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was recently arrested and who has disgraced the royal family.
‘His daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie did not attend the service at Easter with the royal family and have become controversial, especially owing to their parents’ links to the deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, so they could not be asked either.
He continued: ‘An invitation could not have been extended to Harry and Meghan, their behaviour made the late Queen’s last years difficult and a media circus would undoubtedly have followed them.
‘This has meant that conscientious members of the royal family such as Peter and Zara, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, will not be included in tomorrow’s commemorations, which is highly unfortunate.
‘However those planning the events had no choice. These involve the founding of a new charity, an exhibition of Queen Elizabeth’s unique fashion and memorial plans as well as the reception at Buckingham Palace.
‘They are an excellent substitute, though not what ideally might have been planned.’
Senior royals include the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
It’s unclear who exactly will be joining the King and Queen at the Buckingham Palace reception on Tuesday, which will conclude the celebrations, but it won’t include all of the late Queen’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Guests at the reception will include some of the UK’s oldest citizens celebrating their 100th birthday on April 21, with the King presenting their centenary cards in person.
Charities and organisations associated with the late Queen are also invited, including Cancer Research UK, the Jockey Club and the Army Benevolent Fund.
Earlier members of the monarchy will visit the British Museum to see a scale model of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial with architect Lord Foster, who won the bid to design the national monument, during a reception attended by the prime minister.
The memorial will also feature a ‘family of gardens’ through St James’s Park with meandering paths and a new translucent, glass unity bridge.
During the day, the Princess Royal will officially open The Queen Elizabeth II Garden in London’s Regent’s Park and on April 20, the King and Queen will visit the new exhibition showcasing the late monarch’s wardrobe – Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, at The King’s Gallery.
Details about the Prince and Princess of Wales’ engagements during the Queen’s centenary week celebrations will not be confirmed until nearer the time.
Charles has reportedly written a speech for the occasion commemorating the 70-year reign of his mother and highlighting her legacy and service.
Queen Elizabeth died peacefully at her Balmoral home aged 96 on September 8 2022, after serving as sovereign for 70 years – the nation’s longest-reigning monarch – and was mourned by her family and friends and remembered by the nation.
For the woman who was never meant to be sovereign, the Queen fulfilled her pledge to serve nation and Commonwealth and came to earn the respect of many – from world leaders to the public.
