Duchess of Sussex Delights Fans with Rare Glimpses of Princess Lilibet on Her

Montecito, California – June 4, 2025 – In a joyous and highly anticipated move, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has marked her daughter Princess Lilibet Diana's fourth birthday by sharing a collection of never-before-seen photographs. The rare glimpses of the young royal, whose privacy has been fiercely guarded by her parents, Prince Harry and Meghan, have captivated global audiences and offered a tender insight into their family life in California.
Princess Lilibet, born on June 4, 2021, in Santa Barbara, California, is the second child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the first of the late Queen Elizabeth II's great-grandchildren to be born outside the United Kingdom. Her name honors both her great-grandmother, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet, and her paternal grandmother, the late Princess Diana. Since the Sussexes stepped back as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to the United States, public appearances and photographs of their children, Lilibet and her elder brother Prince Archie, have been exceptionally rare, making these new images all the more significant.
To commemorate Lilibet's "golden birthday," Meghan took to her personal Instagram account to share a series of heartfelt tributes. The first post featured two captivating black-and-white photographs of herself with her daughter. One image, instantly endearing, captures Meghan holding Lilibet on what appears to be a boat, with both mother and daughter sporting windswept hair. In this particular shot, a rare glimpse of Lilibet's face is visible, her eyes peeking out while she is nestled in her mother's embrace. The second photograph in this initial tribute is a poignant throwback, showing Meghan tenderly cradling a newborn Lilibet, possibly during skin-to-skin time shortly after her birth in 2021.
Accompanying these intimate photos, Meghan penned a sweet message: "Happy birthday to our beautiful girl! Four years ago today she came into our lives - and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!" The Duchess's words convey a deep sense of joy and gratitude, emphasizing the profound impact Lilibet has had on their family.
In a subsequent and equally touching post, Meghan further celebrated her daughter's special day by sharing images that highlight Princess Lilibet's bond with her father, Prince Harry. This second carousel included a previously unseen photo of Prince Harry holding baby Lilibet, gazing intently at his daughter as she gazes back at him. Another heartwarming shot, captured from behind, shows Harry and Lilibet walking hand-in-hand along a sandy beach trail, seemingly in their home state of California, with palm trees framing the scene. Lilibet, in this image, is seen wearing an adorable white frock and a straw visor, her auburn hair, seemingly inherited from her father, in braids. Meghan captioned this second tribute: "The sweetest bond to watch unfold 💕 Daddy's little girl and favorite adventurer. Happy birthday Lili!"
These new photographs are a notable departure from the Sussexes' usual approach to sharing images of their children, which typically involve shots from behind or otherwise obscuring their faces to protect their privacy. The decision to share more revealing images of Lilibet, particularly on her birthday, has been met with widespread delight from their followers and well-wishers around the world.
The family is understood to be celebrating Lilibet's fourth birthday privately at their Montecito home, continuing their tradition of intimate family celebrations for their children's milestones. Just last month, Meghan also shared a new photo of Prince Archie to commemorate his sixth birthday, demonstrating a pattern of using social media to share these special moments with their global audience while maintaining a degree of control over their children's public image.
The Duchess has previously spoken about her desire to create a "time capsule" for her children, sending photos, voice recordings, and videos to secret email accounts she has created for them, which she intends to give them when they are teenagers. This deeply personal approach underscores their commitment to documenting their children's lives in a way that respects their privacy while also preserving memories for the future.
Princess Lilibet's birthday, and the new photos shared by her mother, serve as a tender reminder of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's journey since stepping away from royal duties, emphasizing their focus on family life in California and their efforts to balance public interest with their desire for privacy.
Source@BBC