Princess Lilibet’s life in milestones as she celebrates second birthday | Royal | News

Both he and Meghan had “danced” around the delivery room before Lilibet, named after her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s nickname, arrived at 11:40am, weighing 7lbs and 11oz.

In his best-selling memoir Spare, the Duke shared the touching details of the birth, of how it was he who delivered Lilibet into the world just two years ago in Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, California.

Harry told how he wanted to be the first to see his daughter as she came into the world, to tell her that he would always keep her safe. He wrote in his memoir: “I wanted to say: Hello. I wanted to say: Where have you come from? I wanted to say: Is it better there? Is it peaceful? Are you frightened? Don’t be, don’t be, all will be well. I’ll keep you safe.”

Here, Express.co.uk takes a look at Lilibet’s life milestones as she celebrates her second birthday.

READ MORE: Princess Eugenie’s baby set to share special connection with Princess Lilibet

The first photograph of Lilibet was released to the world in December 2021 as part of a holiday card sent from the Sussex family.

In the sweet picture, taken by photographer and family friend Misan Harriman, the whole clan is dressed in jeans and Meghan and Harry, who has Archie perched on his knee, are smiling up at the family’s latest addition.

In a statement published by the Archewell Foundation, the couple said: “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.”

In their Netflix docu-series, released at the end of last year, the couple let their fans in on their first moments with Lilibet, sharing pictures of the Princess as a newborn in July 2021.

In April of last year, Harry revealed that then-ten-month-old Lili had taken her first steps in an interview where he gushed about being a “proud papa”.

Speaking to People magazine in the Netherlands, where he had travelled for the Invictus Games, he said: “Her current priorities are trying to keep up with her brother. She took her first step just a few days ago.”

Similarly, Meghan, when speaking on her podcast Archetypes released in November last year, revealed that Lilibet was “toddling” behind her big brother.

She told her guest Pamela Adlon: “Lili just started walking. She’s a year and a couple of months old and Archie’s just over three years old. So yeah they are… Oh, I’m in the thick of it.”

During the Platinum Jubilee last year, Lilibet met her grandfather, King Charles, for the first time as the Duke and Duchess visited the UK.

A royal source told the BBC that it had been “very, very special” for Charles to spend time with both Lilibet and her older brother, Archie.

They added: “He hadn’t met Lili, his granddaughter, and so to meet her was very emotional, a very, very wonderful thing.”

Lilibet celebrated her first birthday on that same trip to the UK. According to the Daily Mail, the likes of Zara and Mike Tindall and their three children were at the party where games and picnic snacks were enjoyed.

Mr Harriman posted a picture online of Meghan holding Lilibet with a caption saying what a “privilege” it was to attend the gathering at Frogmore Cottage, adding: “Joy and face painting all around.”

The couple’s wedding baker Claire Ptak made the birthday cake, according to their spokesperson, and a generous donation was made to the World Central Kitchen.

To mark the occasion, Meghan and Harry released a new picture of Lilibet smiling at her garden party held on the Windsor Estate.

Lilibet also met her great-grandmother and namesake, Queen Elizabeth for the first time on the family trip to the UK for the Jubilee.

Mr Scobie said it was likely the “first moment or the first chance for her [the Queen] to meet her namesake.”

He added: “Those moments with Lilibet are very much private between them and the Queen and, of course, we know how much she’s been looking forward to it.”

In Spare, Harry shared some heartwarming details about his children meeting his grandmother with Archie bowing to the late Monarch as Lili latched onto her shins.

The Duke told how the Queen described them as the “sweetest children”, adding: “She’d expected them to be a bit more…American, I think? Meaning, in her mind, more rambunctious.”

Actor Tyler Perry, interviewed as part of the couple’s Netflix docu-series, told how honoured he was when asked to be the little one’s godparent.

Remembering the moment they popped the question, the filmmaker said: “I take a minute to take that in, and I thought I’d be honoured. I’d absolutely be honoured.”

It has not been officially confirmed but Alexandra “Tiggy” Pettifer, William and Harry’s own childhood nanny, is reportedly Lilibet’s godmother.

The Princess was christened on March 3 earlier this year with a ten-person gospel choir — reportedly brought in by Perry — performing. They are said to have sung Oh Happy Day and This Little Light of Mine, songs that were also enjoyed at Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018.

A source told People that the intimate ceremony of up to 30 people was led by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor, on the couple’s private estate in Montecito.

The question of whether the Sussexes’ children are referred to as Prince and Princess has been a matter of debate for some time.

When they were born, Archie and Lilibet were not eligible for a title but that has changed now that their grandfather has taken to the throne.

But while Prince William and Princess Kate’s children became HRH on the website, Lilibet and Archie have both remained as Master and Miss.

It is understood that they do have the titles for now with Harry wanting both his children to make the decision whether to use Prince or Princess when they come of age. King Charles could issue letters patent to remove them but for now, she can technically be referred to as Princess Lilibet.

Meghan and Harry are said to be celebrating Lilibet’s birthday by having friends and their children come over for a BBQ. A source told New Idea that Lili has become a fan of small animals so a petting zoo may also be organised.

They said: “No doubt she’ll be getting a truckload of presents. Meghan has fallen in love with Cartier’s absolutely divine music boxes.

“Harry is letting Meghan take charge of most of Lili’s gifts, but he was talking about adding more British books to the nursery that he used to love as a kid, like the Paddington Bear and Frog and Toad series.”

Charles is reportedly sending his youngest grandchild a “custom-made cubby house”, similar to those given to the Queen and Princess Margaret when they were children.

Happy birthday Princess Lilibet!