Lilibet turned one on June 4, and it felt like the whole family had waited for that moment since she had only met her great-grandmother through video calls before the jubilee. Harry and Meghan flew back to the UK for the first time since leaving for the US, and it gave everyone a real chance to be together.
Their first public event during that visit was the Thanksgiving service at St Pauls Cathedral and it showed how long it had been since anyone had seen them at a royal gathering. They were not on the balcony for Trooping the Colour, but photographers still caught Meghan playing with some of the younger kids inside a palace window.
People had mixed feelings about them stepping away from royal duties but most agreed the jubilee was important since it turned out to be Elizabeth’s last big celebration. Archie and Lilibet were able to share a bit of time with her, which matters even more now.
Harry’s life has always been watched since the day he was born to Diana and Charles and he had ups and downs that shaped him. His mother’s death hit him hard and later on he found purpose in the military, where he served for ten years and took two tours in Afghanistan before leaving active duty.
He met Meghan in 2016 on a blind date, and he told an interviewer, “I was beautifully surprised when I walked into that room and saw her. I was like, I’m really going to have to up my game here.” A few weeks later they took a trip to Botswana that they always say helped them connect without pressure.
Meghan said the proposal was an amazing surprise. She told an interviewer: “It was so sweet and natural and very romantic; he got on one knee.” They even had a private moment with the archbishop before their public wedding as she said: “We called the archbishop and we just said, ‘look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world but we want our union between us … just the two of us in our backyard.’”
Before meeting Harry she worked in politics and acting and kept pushing through small parts until she landed her role on Suits. She stayed on the show until 2018, the same year they married and started building a family.
Their announcement in early 2020 shocked everyone since they wrote: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.” The queen later shared support even though she said she wished they had stayed full time.
Lilibet was born on June 4, 2021, in Santa Barbara and the couple said: “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.” They explained that she was named after the queens family nickname and Diana for his mother which made the name especially meaningful.
A new photo finally arrived for her first birthday and fans were thrilled. Photographer Misan Harriman posted it and wrote: “It was such a privilege to celebrate the 1st birthday of Lilibet with my family and hers! Joy and face painting all around.” The picture showed Lilibet smiling in a blue dress with a white bow and it spread fast especially because people noticed she has the same bright red hair as her brother and her dad.
Comments poured in with people calling her gorgeous and sweet and it became one of those rare moments where everyone just enjoyed seeing a happy family picture. It was a simple photo but it meant a lot to people who have followed their story.
