Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Say Daughter Lili 'Is More Than We Could Have Ever Imagined'
Jun. 6 2021, Published 1:14 p.m. ET
So much love! Meghan Markle and Prince Harry couldn't be happier with their new bundle of joy, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
“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," the pair wrote on their Archewell website.
On Sunday, June 6, the couple shared the exciting news. "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," a spokesperson for the couple said.
"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," the statement said, adding that the new tot weighs 7lbs 11 oz and "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," the statement added.
Prior to the moniker reveal, one source predicted the former actress and her hubby would honor Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana.
"It would be a lovely nod to The Queen who was known as 'Lillibet' during her childhood but it's also always been one of Harry's favourite names," a source told the U.K.'s OK! magazine. "Back in 2019 when the Duchess was pregnant with Archie, she and Harry took part in a walkabout in Merseyside and someone in the crowd later revealed he'd asked her how she spells her daughter's — Lily. He took great interest in it."
Royal expert Katie Nicholl said: "I absolutely think that they will want to include Diana as perhaps one of the names for their little girl. Maybe not in her first name, but I am sure it's very high up on the list in terms of a second Christian name, and I think that is quite simply because it would be [a way] for Harry to pay tribute to his mother. Of course, the Cambridges gave Charlotte Diana as a middle name, I don't think that precludes Harry and Meghan from doing that type of same thing. I think it's very likely to be chosen as a middle name."
