News Desk: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced the birth of a daughter they have named Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
Harry and Meghan’s daughter, who was born in hospital in California on Friday, weighed 7lb 11oz and has been named after the family nickname for the Queen, the baby’s great-grandmother.
Her middle name was chosen to honour her late grandmother, the Princess of Wales, the couple said. She is the Queen’s 11th great-grandchild and is eighth in line to the throne.
Both mother and child were healthy and well, a statement said, and Lilibet was “settling in at home” after her birth at Santa Barbara Cottage hospital.
“The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family,” the couple’s press secretary added.Like her older brother, Archie, who was not permitted a royal title when he was born in 2019, the Sussexes’ daughter is not permitted to be a princess nor have the title HRH, as they are too far removed from the crown under rules set down more than 100 years ago.
The new baby will be entitled to be a princess and Archie a prince, both with HRH styles, after the death of the Queen and when Prince Charles, Harry’s father, becomes king.
Harry and Meghan revealed they were expecting a baby girl during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, during which they also spoke candidly about their rift with the rest of the royal family. Meghan said concerns had been raised before Archie’s birth about how dark his skin would be.
Lilibet’s birth comes after Meghan, 39, revealed she had a miscarriage in the summer of 2020. In an article for the New York Times in November, she wrote: “I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second.”
The Sussexes announced on Valentine’s Day they were expecting again, releasing a black and white photo of themselves sitting under a tree in California, where they live.
The baby is the most senior royal in the current line of succession to be born overseas – and would be eligible to become US president.
Anyone wishing to send a present has been asked to support organisations working for women and girls. A message on the couple’s Archewell website reads: “For those inquiring on sending gifts, we would ask that you support or learn more about these organisations working for women and girls: Girls Inc., Harvest Home, Camfed or Myna Mahila Foundation.”
