Unknown princess reaches her third birthday.
The uproar surrounding Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan persists. It's crucial for the Sussexes to maintain Lilibet's anonymity away from public gaze. They've successfully managed to keep their daughter Lilibet's identity a mystery, as the three-year-old celebrates her birthday on June 4th.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are busy celebrating their daughter Lilibet. Their second child, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten Windsor, who claims the title of Princess Lilibet, was born on June 4th, 2021, following the birth of their son Archie on May 6th, 2019. According to People, the couple held a small celebratory gathering for Lilibet over the weekend, attended by close friends, family, and some buddies of the birthday girl.
While Prince Harry and Meghan have maintained their presence in the public eye even after their withdrawal from their royal duties, Lilibet remains shielded from the media chaos. Rising to be seventh in line for the throne, Lilibet's trivialities remain scantily known.
The birth of Lilibet was announced on Valentine's Day 2021. Soon after, the former American actress and the British royal shared Lilibet's arrival with Oprah Winfrey. "First a boy and then a girl—what more could we want?", Harry exulted in the moment. He later reminisced about his new role in an interview with Today's Hoda Kotb in 2022, "I love it. I love every part of it. I've always wanted to be a father. I've always wanted to have my own children and now I have two little people for whom I'm responsible."
At the birth of Lilibet, Meghan and Harry released a statement on their Archewell Foundation's website, "On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter Lili. She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we are incredibly grateful for the love and prayers we have received from around the world. Thank you for the continued kindness and support during this special time for our family."
Lilibet's moniker triggers sentiments
Lilibet's name has ignited a spectrum of emotions. The Sussexes revealed their motivations behind the name choice: "Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty the Queen, whose nickname in the family is Lilibet. Her second middle name, Diana, was chosen in honor of her beloved late grandmother, the Princess of Wales." Harry's mother, Princess Diana, had passed away in a car accident in Paris in 1997. RTL's royal expert, Michael Begasse, explains the emotional turmoil, asserting, "Two unforgettable, strong, and charismatic women still live on in the names of these two royal icons. The anniversary is a celebration of their memory rather than a commemoration of their noble heritages."
Princess Lilibet and the late Princess Diana have interacted only once. In early June 2022, Harry and Meghan returned to England for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, where she met her great-grandmother. During Lilibet's first birthday celebration in Windsor, they enjoyed a picnic in the grounds of their former residence, Frogmore Cottage. Harry's father, the present King Charles III, was said to have met his granddaughter for the first time in person in June 2022.
Royal Expert: "Practically prepared"
Upon the Queen's demise in September 2022 and Charles's ascension, Lilibet became a princess. The title is granted to her as the monarch's grandchild. Likewise, Archie was bestowed with the title of Prince.
Begasse believes Lilibet will soon confront the "tragic-royal story" linked to her name. "And she will hopefully have been prepared by her father, Prince Harry. To be a true princess, not just from a fairy tale! A Royal Highness, who currently holds seventh place in the line of succession and could possibly lead a life freed from the public eye if she chooses. But I'm certain her mother Meghan will take care of that."
Lilibet's day-to-day life in her California home is unknown. Reports suggest that Meghan's mother Doria Ragland maintains a close bond with her grandchildren. Doria might be in charge of caring for Archie and Lilibet when Meghan and Harry are out of town. In May 2024, the Sussexes embarked on a trip to Nigeria, promoting the Invictus Games. At a school in Abuja, they conversed with a group of pupils and teachers. While speaking to the students, Meghan recounted a recent chat with her daughter. "Our daughter Lili is noticeably smaller than you all. She'll turn three soon. A few weeks ago, she looked at me and saw her reflection in my eyes. Then, she said: 'Mommy, I can see myself in you,' Meghan told her class. Lili's meaning was literal. "But I interpreted those same words differently," Meghan shared. "It made me think: I see myself in you, and you see me in you."
