Lilibet, of course, is named after her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood nickname and is currently seventh in line to the throne. Her Santa Barbara upbringing is a little different to the home county rearing of her older cousins further ahead in the line of ascension. The princess was born in June 2021 at Cottage Hospital in California, following her parents’ much-discussed decision to step back from royal duties and settle in the Duchess’ home turf.
Meghan and Lilibet enjoy post natal skin-on-skin in 2021
Instagram @meghan
Her fourth birthday also coincides with a shift in how the Sussexes share their lives with the public. Following her reintroduction to Instagram earlier this year, Meghan has offered regular glimpses into her and Lilibet’s home life. A recent honey-drenched clip of the mother-daughter-duo tending to beehives in matching protective suits was a potential teaser for new products from the Duchess’ brand, As Ever.
In a moment of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan opened up about the early challenges of motherhood, including a battle with postpartum preeclampsia following Lilibet’s birth. And in a bonus episode, she mused of a future business partner in Lilibet. While speaking to Tina Knowles (the mother of Beyonce and Solange Knowles no less), she pondered on eventually going into business with her daughter, ‘I wonder if one day I’ll be in business with Lili and we’ll be building something.’ (A sustainably-sourced tiara line? A partnership with Erewhon ala Hailey Bieber? We’d love a royal beauty line.)
For the moment, the little princess continues to grow largely out of view, though evidently adored. On this milestone birthday, it seems Meghan Markle wanted the world to know too.