5 Royal Traditions Princess Lilibet Will Miss Out as She Turns 5 in California

Princess Lilibet turns 5 on June 4, and while there will likely be cake and celebrations in California, one thing her birthday probably will not include is a dose of traditional royal pomp. Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped away from royal life, Lilibet’s childhood has looked very different from that of her cousins across the pond. From palace portraits and balcony moments to royal residences and summer traditions, here are some of the royal customs she may be missing out on.

One birthday tradition Princess Lilibet may never quite experience is the palace kitchen treatment. Royal birthdays have long come with chefs on hand to whip up favorite meals and special cakes inside royal residences. Former royal chef Darren McGrady revealed that family favorites, including the royal chocolate cake loved by Queen Elizabeth and enjoyed by William and Harry, often made the menu. Princess Diana even added her own playful touch with memorable cakes for her boys.

Another royal tradition Princess Lilibet may miss is the big birthday photo reveal. For royal children, birthdays often come with new photographs released by palace accounts, and Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have all grown up with the tradition. Lilibet’s birthdays, however, are celebrated far more privately, meaning no palace photo drop, no official royal post, and no birthday portrait making headlines from behind palace gates.

There is perhaps no royal childhood moment more iconic than the Buckingham Palace balcony wave. During Trooping the Colour, royal children step out alongside the family, soaking up cheers and watching the famous flypast overhead. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have all had their balcony moments before gradually joining walkabouts, where young royals greet crowds and collect flowers. But for Princess Lilibet, that particular royal rite of passage will stay across the Atlantic, far from palace railings.

School is rarely just school for children of the royals. First-day photos, polished uniforms, and carefully chosen British campuses have long been part of the royal growing-up playbook. George, Charlotte, and Louis have all had their school milestones shared with the world, turning ordinary mornings into headline-making moments. Meanwhile, Lilibet is growing up an ocean away from that tradition, and that means no palace-approved school reveals, no royal photo call at the gates.

While summer holidays usually mean beaches or road trips, royal summers have long come with a very different backdrop — Balmoral. For generations, the royal family has escaped to the Scottish estate for countryside living, horse riding, long walks, and family time away from palace schedules. Estate traditions, including sporting and hunting culture closely tied to King Charles, have heavily shaped these gatherings. However, for Lilibet, these Balmoral summers and countryside customs are set to remain a distant part of royal life.