Reality star and Meghan Markle's friend Garcelle Beauvais has slammed Kate Middleton for her decision to skip Princess Lilibet's first birthday celebration two years ago. The Bravolebrity's comments have resurfaced amid the ongoing rift between the Sussexes and the royal family, as well as Kate's recent cancer diagnosis.
Speaking to E! News during Lilibet's first birthday in 2022, Beauvais criticized the Princess of Wales' absence from the celebration, suggesting there was "a little shade" in her reason for not attending. "What's going on is, 'What a coincidence, we're out of town, I'm washing my hair,'" the Jamie Foxx Show star said, according to the Daily Mail.
Beauvais questioned the royal couple's inability to delay their pre-scheduled engagements to meet their niece and nephew, Lilibet and Archie. "No. They can't hold back the flight a couple of hours to meet Lilibet and Archie?" she asked.
The Sussexes celebrated Lilibet's first birthday on June 4, 2022, at their former UK base, Frogmore Cottage, just days before the late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The occasion marked the great-grandmother's first meeting with the infant. However, Prince William and Kate were notably absent, as they were overseeing concert rehearsals at Cardiff Castle at the time.
Years after Beauvais' comments, the reality star and Meghan Markle posed for a photograph together at Variety's 2023 Power of Women gala. Following their interaction, the Duchess of Sussex sent Beauvais a jar of American Riviera jam before the lifestyle brand's formal launch, further cementing their friendship.
While it remains unknown if Kate has ever met Lilibet, the princess is currently battling cancer and recently returned to Instagram to update fans on her health. In a video, Kate expressed her gratitude for the support and understanding she has received during her recovery from major abdominal surgery in January. Tests after the operation revealed the presence of cancer, prompting her medical team to advise preventive chemotherapy.
"This of course comes as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this for our young family," Kate shared. "It has taken my time for me to recover from my surgery. Most importantly, it has taken us time to explain to George, Charlotte and Louis and to reassure them I am going to be OK."
Despite the distance and ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the royal family, Meghan and Prince Harry released a statement in support of the Princess of Wales. "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," the couple said.
Royal expert Tom Quinn believes that Meghan Markle is hesitant to travel with her children to the UK amid security concerns, further complicating the possibility of a reconciliation between the two families. "There is no way Meghan would bring the children to the U.K. William and Kate have suggested that Meghan and Harry bring the children and that the two couples and their families try to make up, but the suggestion is not leading anywhere so far," Quinn told an outlet.