Harry and Meghan's Daughter Lilibet's First Birthday: Everything We Know

On June 4, 2022, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor will celebrate her first birthday during a family visit to Britain marking Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

Though Lilibet has rarely been seen in public with only one official photograph ever released, her parents have shared touching snapshots of information about her important milestones throughout her first year.

Here, Newsweek explains everything we know about Lilibet so far:

The Announcement

Harry and Meghan announced that they were expecting their second child on Valentine's Day 2021 with the release of a special portrait taken by Misan Harriman showing the couple lying beneath a tree in California.

A spokesperson for the couple said at the time that: "We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child."

The duchess then confirmed the news during her landmark interview with Oprah Winfrey in March during which she announced that the baby was a girl. Harry told the show host of his reaction when he heard the news:

"Amazing. Just grateful, like any—to have any child, any one or any two would have been amazing. But to have a boy and then a girl, you know, what more can you ask for?"

An American-Born Royal

Meghan took a period of leave from her working life around the time of the baby's birth which saw her deliver a healthy daughter at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California on June 4, 2021.

Lilibet became the most senior member of the royal family to be born in the United States and weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces.

Eighth in Line to the Throne

At the time of her birth, Lilibet became the eighth in line to the British throne coming behind her older brother, Archie and her father, Harry, as well as her Cambridge cousins, George, Charlotte and Louis, Prince William and Prince Charles.

Named in Tribute To Two Royal Matriarchs

Harry and Meghan chose a special combination of names for their daughter, paying tribute to two important royal female role models. The announcement of Lilibet's birth, released through Harry and Meghan's Archewell organization read:

"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 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California.

"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 honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales."

In addition to this statement, Harry and Meghan said:

"On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. 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."

First Christmas Card

Harry and Meghan have so far only released one official image of Lilibet which has been tightly controlled and is not available to be reproduced. This image was an official Christmas portrait published on the Archewell website and shows the Sussex family together with Lilibet in her mother's arms.

A message accompanying the photograph read:

"This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a 'Mama' and a 'Papa', and Lili made us a family,"

A Little Sister to A Big Brother

Over the past year, information has been released about how Lilibet and big brother Archie interact with one another and how Archie has taken to his younger sibling.

At the time of Lilibet's birth, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan told People that:

"Archie is very happy to have a little sister," adding that the couple spoke with their son about the new member of their family to ready him for the change in the family's dynamic.

"They prepared Archie by talking a lot about the baby. He is too little to understand though," the source added.

"He is big enough though that he is now starting to have his own life too. He enjoys preschool and outdoor activities. He will have a fun summer."

Halloween Costume

During an interview with Ellen DeGeneres in November 2021, Meghan revealed that Lilibet's first Halloween had been marked with the infant being dressed as a skunk, "like Flower from Bambi '' she said of the character in the 1942 Disney movie.

First Steps

Publicizing his visit to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games in April, Harry gave an interview with People in which he revealed Lilibet had taken her first steps.

The prince told the magazine that his daughter, who was not even one year old, was "trying to keep up with her brother" and that "she took her first step just a few days ago."

The royal then went on to describe himself as a "proud papa."

Later in the year he again showcased his pride by wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words "GIRL DAD" for a video skit filmed to promote his green travel initiative Travalyst.

Jubilee Meeting

In May it was announced that Lilibet would make her first journey to Britain to take part in the celebrations planned for her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan told Newsweek that:

"Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are excited and honored to attend The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations this June with their children."

The weekend of celebrations falls on Lilibet's first birthday, Saturday, June 4, and a private family celebration is reportedly planned to mark the day.

The visit to Britain will also provide Lilibet's British relations to meet her for the first time including the queen and her grandfather, Prince Charles.