Queen Elizabeth excited to meet great-granddaughter Lilibet for first time on birthday

The Queen is said to be planning to attend her great-granddaughter Lilibet’s first birthday after she cancelled plans to go to her favourite sporting event.

Her Majesty, 96, has never met Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 11-month-old daughter, despite the child being named in her honour and is said to be looking forward to seeing her great-granddaughter for the first time at her Jubilee and "will welcome Harry and Meghan with open arms" according to insiders. 

The Sun has reported the monarch will have the meeting on Saturday, when the girl turns one in the midst of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations to toast the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

A source said it is becoming "increasingly unlikely" the royal will travel to Epsom for the Derby horse race in Epsom after all three of her horses pulled out of the race.

Photo / Twitter

Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, are also bringing their three-year-old son Archie, three, to England for the Jubilee Celebrations.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be staying with their family a 10-minute walk away from Windsor Castle at Frogmore Cottage after they unexpectedly renewed the lease at the property where they spent six months before quitting as senior royals and moving to America.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Harry and Meghan will want to celebrate Lilibet's birthday somehow with their family. But diaries are full on Saturday. There isn't much wriggle room to fit in a birthday party for a one-year-old.

"These events have been planned far in advance and the Sussexes have not exactly made their plans clear or public."

They may also attend at least one other public engagement – but sources are said to have "strongly" warned the public "should not expect them at every event" of the Jubilee.

Harry and Meghan may also spend time with other royal family members including Harry’s father Prince Charles, 73.

The Prince of Wales and future king has not seen Harry’s son Archie, three, since he was a baby.

It is unclear whether the Sussexes will spend time alone with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children amid claims Prince William, 39, is still dismayed by his brother’s behaviour since quitting senior royal duties.

Photo / Getty

Meanwhile, The Queen has also been suffering "episodic mobility problems" for the last six months and was seen last week using a buggy at the Chelsea Flower show.

It remains unclear which events the Queen will appear at to mark her 70 years on the throne, with Buckingham Palace set to confirm on the day.

It is predicted she will be seen on the Buckingham Palace balcony for her Trooping the Colour annual birthday parade.

Buckingham Palace has refused to comment on the Queen’s diary.

- Bang! Showbiz