A ROYAL expert has said it’s “so sad” that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry don’t let King Charles see Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter Lilibet is turning three on Tuesday but has barely met her UK family, including her grandfather.

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Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have only met their UK family a handful of timesCredit: Alexi Lubomirski

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Royal author Phil Dampier said it is ‘so sad’ King Charles has barely met his grandkidsCredit: Reuters

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Princess Lilibet turns three this week – but the celebrations have ‘underlying sadness’, claims PhilCredit: PA
Royal author Phil Dampier said the birthday celebrations are tinged with an “underlying sadness” due to the “rift” that divides the family.

Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, he shared: “It is amazing that she’s already three but there is this underlying sadness of course because of the rift that the King is not seeing his grandchildren.

“I think he’s only met Lilibet possibly once and Archie only a couple of times and they are seventh and eighth in line to the throne, growing up in California on the West Coast of America with American accents and they just don’t see them.”

Phil added that it’s also “very sad” for Meghan’s father Thomas Markle, who reportedly has never met his grandkids or even son-in-law Prince Harry.

Former lighting director Thomas and Meghan’s relationship soured in the run-up to her 2018 Windsor Castle wedding, when he admitted agreeing to stage pictures of himself.

Meghan told Oprah Winfrey that her outspoken father lied to her about talking to the British press – a “betrayal” that she just can’t “reconcile”.

The royal author told The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson: “So that is the underlying sadness and whether they’re going to one day heal this rift, we don’t know, but at the moment I don’t think there’s much prospect.”

Phil said it will be “fascinating to see those kids grow up”, and added: “When they get a bit older, are they going to start asking questions ‘how have we got to this situation’, ‘how is it I don’t see my grandparents’, ‘how is it I don’t have anything to do with the royal family?’

“When they get old, that’s probably when the problem is going to start and it’s going to be difficult for them.”

The Duke of Sussex stepped down from the Royal Family four years ago and has since made a number of shocking allegations about his brother.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stage manage everything to suit them, including Archie’s BIRTH
Their relationship has only worsened after the Sussexes made a number of accusations against the Royal Family in their Netflix docuseries.

Harry and William haven’t been seen together in years after their relationship fractured further.

Phil, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan in their own words, said Meghan and Harry may release a photo in honour of Princess Lilibet’s birthday.

He continued: “It wouldn’t surprise me if Harry and Meghan put out a photo.

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Meghan’s dad Thomas Markle reportedly hasn’t met Prince Harry or Archie and LilibetCredit: Channel 5 / Thomas Markle: My Story

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Thomas and Meghan’s relationship soured when he admitted agreeing to stage pictures of himselfCredit: sunrise

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Prince Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and now live in CaliforniaCredit: Google Earth

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Archie and Lilibet hardly know their UK familyCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

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Prince William and Prince Harry’s rift has deepened over recent yearsCredit: AFP

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The Sussexes made a number of accusations against the Royal Family in their Netflix docuseriesCredit: NETFLIX
“I mean, they’re quite good at putting out photos of their family when they want to make a point or they want to show us they’re just as important as the rest of the royals.”

Last month, Prince Harry visited the UK for a three-day visit, but didn’t see King Charles or brother Prince William.

A spokesperson for Harry said the reason behind the lack of meet-up was due to the busy schedule of King Charles.

They said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

The explosive revelations in Harry’s book Spare include:

Prince Harry claimed his brother William ‘attacked’ him in a row over Meghan Markle
Harry called his therapist instead of Meg after the confrontation with his brother
Charles pleaded with Harry and William not to ‘make his final years a misery’
The Duke of Sussex revealed the nicknames he uses with William
Harry claimed William and Kate Middleton encouraged him to wear the infamous Nazi uniform
The duke said he does want to go to King Charles’ coronation, a trailer for his ITV interview has revealed
The bombshell book accidentally went on sale early in Spain – and we got our hands on one of the first copies
Meanwhile, seven times Harry was welcomed by the Royals have been revealed