When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were getting ready to welcome their first child back in 2019, the eyes of the world were on them. As senior members of the royal family, fans were so excited for a glimpse of Baby Sussex.
But when it came to welcoming their second child, their lives were very, very different. The couple had quit their royal roles and moved to America, which meant the spotlight wasn’t quite as bright ahead of Lilibet’s arrival in June 2021.
Harry writes about the amazing day in his memoir Spare, recalling how they danced around the hospital room and ate burgers and fajitas during the first hours of labour.
When the doctor told them Lilibet was just a few minutes away from coming into the world, Harry said he wanted to be the first person his daughter saw.
He writes: “I cradled her just a moment, trying to smile at her, to see her, but honestly I couldn’t see anything.”
He said he wondered if she was frightened, and wanted to tell her: “Don’t be, don’t be, all will be well. I’ll keep you safe.”
Before they knew it, it was time to travel home with their new addition, ready to start the new chapter in their lives. Harry recalls a particularly special moment he shared with Meghan in those first few hours as a family of four.
He writes that when they were doing skin-to-skin with Lili, Meghan said: “I’ve never been more in love with you than in that moment”
But Harry, unsure of whether to believe her, simply replied: “Really?” which she confirmed by repeating his word back to him.
Lilibet was born at 11.40am, weighing 7lbs 11oz.
The couple kept details around Lilibet’s birth private, with most of the details unknown until Harry shared them in his own words in his book. However they released a short statement sharing their excitement.
They said: “On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili.
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“She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe.
“Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”
An official statement from Archwell at the time said: “It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world.
“Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA.
“She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home.
“Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.
“This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
“The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family.”
Lili had the chance to meet the woman she was named after, the Queen, when the family returned to the UK for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June last year.
