Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have released two pictures of their daughter, Lilibet Diana, to the public.
The child celebrated her first birthday on June 4 while in England. The pictures were captured by Misan Harriman, a famous photographer and a close friend of Markle and the British prince.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter picture released
Misan Harriman attended the low-key birthday party thrown for Lilibet at their Frogmore Cottage home.
The first photo features the child in a cute blue dress and a white lace bow in her red hair.
Both Archie and Lilibet have inherited their father’s famous fiery red locks. Sitting in the grass, Lilibet Diana gives the camera a sweet smile.
In the second photo, Markle, holding her daughter, poses next to Harriman’s wife and her children.
In a brief statement to the media, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed that they had a “casual, intimate backyard picnic” birthday party for their daughter.
Lilibet’s birthday party details revealed
The spokesperson stated that the children enjoyed delicious cakes and other pastries. British baker Claire Ptak provided the cake. She also made Markle and Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding cake.
The young guests at the party had their faces painted and played games with the birthday girl.
In the statement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they were delighted to have “close friends and family gather” for the memorable day.
The couple’s spokesperson said they are very grateful for all the birthday wishes and donations made in Lilibet’s name.
The representative added: “They were amazed to learn that people worldwide made donations amounting to over $100K to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in her honor. The couple extended their gratitude to all who have shown support for the organization, which is especially near to their hearts.”
The World Central Kitchen is present worldwide to provide meals to those in need after being hit with natural, humanitarian, and man-made crises.
WCK has been providing support and assistance in Uvalde, Texas, after the horrific mass shooting and Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in early 2022.
Markle recently traveled to Texas to pay her respects to the slain children and teachers of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
Royal family wished Lilibet happy birthday on social media
Prince Charles, Prince William, and Queen Elizabeth‘s other royal family members took to their official social media pages to wish Lilibet a very happy birthday.
Kate Middleton and Prince William wrote on Twitter: “Wishing a very happy birthday to Lilibet, turning one today!”
Prince William, his spouse, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, did not attend Lilibet’s birthday party due to prior engagements.
On June 4, as part of Queen Elizabeth‘s Platinum Jubilee, Kate Middleton, Prince William, and their two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, traveled to Cardiff Castle in Wales for concert preparations.
They rapidly flew back to Buckingham Palace for the BBC’s star-studded musical event Platinum Party.
It has been confirmed by Page Six that Prince William and Kate Middleton and their children were invited to Lilibet’s birthday party, but they declined.
The media outlet also revealed that Archie and Lilibet did not spend time with their royal cousins.
A UK-based royal insider explained to the New York publication why Prince William snubbed Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex: “Things are still fraught — William is still wary of spending any time alone with Harry as you never quite know what may be reported back afterward.”
The site hinted that Prince William’s family is unlikely to have met Lilibet at all during the trip. It appears that Prince William is still reeling from the revelations made during the Oprah Winfrey and the TODAY Show interviews.
Prince Charles spent time with Archie and Lilibet
Lilibet and Archie did spend some time with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
On the eve of her first birthday, Queen Elizabeth was introduced to Lilibet at Windsor Castle.
A royal source explained that the Queen banned Prince Harry and Markle from having their private photographer capture the moment she met her great-granddaughter. The Sussexes were told “no chance” because it was a private moment.
Angela Levin, Prince Harry’s biographer, shared her thoughts with the MailOnline about the not so perfect Jubilee visit: “It is an incredible cheek. It is too incredible for words to have put pressure on his grandmother when she’s struggling to move during four days of celebrations where huge demands are being put on her. It’s even more of a strain when you are 96-years-old. The Jubilee is her last effort as monarch, and yet Harry asks for time with her when she can’t say no.”
Levin went on to say that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should have prolonged their visit to London to spend time with the royal family after the Jubilee’s parades, pageantry, and parties.
Critics say Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should have stayed longer in the UK
She said: “They should have stayed for a few days afterward, spent time with the Queen after her duties had finished, tried to make things right with William. They would have had the time – but they chose to rush in and rush out. She also suggested that Harry appeared to have ‘lost all respect for anybody now,’ adding: ‘All his impatience and self-destruction is visible. He can’t hide it.”
Via private jet, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and their children returned to California on Sunday before the celebrations were over.
The couple laid low while in the UK and made one official appearance at the Queen’s national service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday alongside the Prince of Wales, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
Queen Elizabeth did not attend after experiencing “some discomfort” during Thursday’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Buckingham Palace.
The California-based couple were seated far from the senior royals and did not interact with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the service.
