Everything We Know About Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Daughter, Lilibet

By: Beth Moreton | Published: Mar 15, 2024

Ever since they moved away from the U.K. to the U.S. in 2020 to take a step back from royal life, the cameras have been much less invasive of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their family.

When their youngest child, Lilibet, was born, the couple had been out of the U.K. for over a year, and unlike most royal children, not much is currently known about Lilibet.

Lilibet Was Born in 2021

Born in Santa Barbara, which is where Meghan and Harry live, Lilibet was born on June 4, 2021, according to an official statement by the couple on their official website.

Advertisement
Baby Lilitet in a sling attached to Meghan. She is wearing a grey hat and is sleeping.

Source: @ourroyal_family/Instagram

She was born in the late morning at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces.

Lilibet Has Dual Citizenship

Even though Lilibet was born in the U.S., she has been able to get dual citizenship, according to US Weekly

Advertisement
Lilibet, Meghan Markle, and Archie. Meghan holds both children in her arms and their faces are hidden from the camera. They are walking around a garden.

Source: @ourroyal_family/Instagram

As Prince Harry is a British citizen, this means that she is able to have dual U.K.-U.S. citizenship, with her older brother Archie, who was born in the U.K., being afforded the same. 

Lilibet Is Named after Her Grandparents

Wanting to make her name as sentimental as possible, her full name is Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, and has been given the nickname “Lili.”

Advertisement
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana. They are standing next to each other and are both wearing pearl necklaces.

Source: Global News/YouTube

She is called Lilibet after the late Queen Elizabeth II, as this was her childhood nickname. The name Diana comes from Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.

Harry and Meghan Apparently Sought Queen Elizabeth’s Approval

Due to giving their daughter a nickname that was very personal to the queen, the couple only found it right to seek her approval first.

Advertisement
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Queen Elizabeth. They are all sat down for a photo and are smiling.

Source: ABC News/YouTube

According to Vanity Fair, it is royal tradition to seek the monarch’s approval for the naming of a child, and the late queen was only delighted to grant them permission. 

Queen Elizabeth Was Said to Be Infuriated with Harry and Meghan

Despite the news at the time claiming that the late queen was happy with the use of her treasured nickname, recent reports suggest otherwise.

Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry. None of them look very happy. They are all dressed up and wearing various shades of blue.

Source: NBC News/YouTube

The Independent has suggested that the queen wasn’t as happy as Harry and Meghan had everyone believe, with one member of her staff claiming the queen had been “as angry as I’d ever seen her” when the name was publicized.

Advertisement

Lilibet Is Now a Princess

The royal line of succession dictates that only those who are the children or grandchildren of the current monarch can be made a prince or princess, according to Debretts

A black and white photo of Lilibet and Prince Harry. Harry is kissing her on her nose.

Source: Access Hollywood/YouTube

As Queen Elizabeth was ruling when she was born, she couldn’t be a princess as she was her great-grandchild. However, as Charles is now king and she is his granddaughter, Lilibet is now a princess.

Advertisement

Lilibet Is Currently Seventh in Line to the Throne

Harry and Meghan may have left royal life behind, but that doesn’t mean they or their children couldn’t possibly become king or queen one day.

The British royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Source: Carfax2/Wikimedia Commons

Lilibet is seventh in line to the throne, with her brother Archie sixth in line and father Prince Harry fifth in line, behind Prince William and his three children

Advertisement

Lilibet Is the First Grandchild of a British Monarch to be Born in the U.S.

As Harry and Meghan had already made their move to the U.S. by the time she was born, this meant that Lilibet ended up being born there.

King Charles (then Prince) and Queen Elizabeth. He is wearing a navy suit and she is wearing a green coat and matching hat with white gloves. She is also wearing pearl earrings and necklace and a broach.

Source: Number 10/Wikimedia Commons

Lilibet’s birth meant that she was officially the first grandchild and great-grandchild of a monarch to have been born in the U.S., as reported by People

Advertisement

Lilibet’s Godfather Is Tyler Perry

Most people’s godparents are people who are close to their parents, which means that many are unlikely to have famous filmmakers as their godparents.

Tyler Perry on a red carpet. He is talking to journalists and there is a crowd of people behind him.

Source: Sgt Michael Connors/Wikimedia Commons

However, after he let Harry and Meghan stay in his California home when they first moved to the U.S., as reported by Entertainment Weekly, the couple decided to repay the favor somewhat and asked Tyler Perry to be Lilibet’s godfather, which he politely accepted. 

Advertisement

Lilibet Is a Redhead

Prince Harry’s genes have been strong when it comes to his children, as both of them have followed in their father’s footsteps in being redheads.

Princess Lilibet. She is sitting on the grass and is wearing a light blue dress with a matching bow in her hair.

Source: TalkTV/YouTube

During an appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” Harry revealed that “the ginger gene is a strong one” and that he had expected Meghan’s genes to be stronger than his. 

Advertisement

Lilibet Met Queen Elizabeth Before She Died

While the late queen was celebrating her platinum jubilee a few months before she died, she was also able to meet her namesake for the very first time, as reported by US Weekly

Meghan Markle, Lilibet, and Prince Harry. Lilibet celebrating her first birthday in the UK. Meghan holds her in her arms and Harry lights candles on a cake. The cake is pink and is on a table with vases of flowers. There is a tree in the background.

Source: LMT/YouTube

As the queen had to cancel some of her appearances at various events due to her health, it was said that being able to spend time with her great-grandchildren added a bit of light relief to her.

Advertisement

Lilibet’s Surname Is Now Sussex

When she was born, both Lilibet and Archie were given the surname “Mountbatten-Windsor.”

A black and white photo of Princess Lilibet and Meghan Markle. Meghan is holding Lilibet in her arms and is holding her phone in her hand.

Source: Access Hollywood/YouTube

However, since then, the children have become prince and princess, and as is royal tradition, Harry and Meghan are using their title as their children’s last name, which is Sussex (via People). 

Advertisement