Meghan Markle and Prince Harry being banned from having a photographer take pictures of the Queen with their daughter was a "bitter pill to swallow", a royal expert has claimed.
Lilibet, who recently celebrated her first birthday, is believed to have been introduced to her great-grandmother for the first time during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2.
The Sussexes were apparently keen to bring a photographer to the pair's first face-to-face meeting at Windsor Castle but the request was denied, reports The Sun.
Royal biographer Christopher Andersen has now described the photo ban as a "bitter pill to swallow", recalling how the couple's son Archie was pictured with the Queen at two days old back in 2019.
Mr Andersen, who wrote 'Brothers and Wives' - a book detailing Prince Harry and William's relationship - told Royally US: "We now know that the Queen, well, the men in grey who really handle things, would not permit the Queen's photograph to be taken with Lilibet.
"That spoke volumes, it was a really bitter pill for Meghan and Harry to swallow. You have to remember, Archie was photographed with the Queen, and Prince Philip, and Doria Ragland when he was two days old.
"It's a tradition to be photographed with the monarch when you're a grandchild or a great-grandchild. But this was a really different feeling."
Harry and Meghan returned to California without a snap, with members of the Royal Family reportedly concerned that pictures of the Queen and Lilibet taken by the couple’s photographer could be shared with US television networks.
The Sussexes were noticeably absent from the limelight during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and were spotted sitting several rows behind Prince Charles and Prince William during Friday's Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.
They were kept at arm’s length by the royals during the celebrations and left without any public appearances alongside the Queen, Charles, Camilla, William or Kate.
Harry and Meghan's low profile over the weekend meant they attended without Netflix cameras in attendance.
The couple reportedly left the UK prior to the conclusion of the final events marking the Queen's 70 years on the throne.
As the £15 million Platinum Jubilee Pageant finale got under way outside Buckingham Palace on June 5, the Sussexes had already driven away from Frogmore Cottage.
The couple's swift exit before the end of the Jubilee celebrations came as experts claimed Harry was struggling to accept his new "second row royal" role.
Tensions have been running high between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family since the pair's Oprah interview last year, in which they made allegations of racism and Meghan spoke openly about her fractured relationship with Kate.
The four-day-long weekend marked Harry and Meghan's first public appearance alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge since moving to the US two years ago.
In an earlier statement, the Queen said she had been "humbled and deeply touched" that so many had come out to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.
"While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all, " she said.
"And I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.
