Prince Harry and
wife Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on Tuesday shared
a first birthday picture of their daughter Lilibet, named after her
great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.
Lilibet, who turned one on Saturday while on a visit to the UK, is a nod to the
nickname for the 96-year-old British monarch when as a toddler Princess
Elizabeth she was unable to pronounce her own name properly.
The “candid” and “spontaneous” photograph was taken at a
picnic to celebrate little Lilibet’s birthday at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor by
photographer-friend Misan Harriman and shows the young royal in pale blue frock
with a white bow in her red hair similar to her father’s.
A spokesperson for the Duke
and Duchess of Sussex said the couple who have stepped back from frontline
royalty were “incredibly touched by the countless birthday wishes for
their daughter” and revealed that close friends and family gathered for
“a casual, intimate backyard picnic” at Frogmore Cottage, which is
the UK home of the couple now living in the US.
Harry and Meghan, who flew
into the UK to be a part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee for a few events, have
since returned to their California home with son Archie and Lilibet.
It is believed that the Queen met her namesake baby royal for the first time
during the visit of Harry and Meghan, who were not seen front and centre at the
Jubilee events due to their decision to step back from as frontline royals. The
UK media was also rife with reports that Prince Harry’s rift with his older
brother, Prince William, remains unresolved.
