Royal fans have been delighted by a surprise new photo of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s daughter Lilibet Diana, and the little royal is looking more like her dad than ever.
Posing in a blue dress with a white bow pinned in her vibrant red hair, Lilibet beams at something just behind the camera – maybe mum or dad?
With her ginger locks and big toothy grin, the young royal looks just like her dad Harry did as a toddler, a resemblance many royal fans noted on social media when the photos dropped.
A second black and white snap shows Lilibet snuggled up in mum Meghan’s arms and while they definitely share a few similarities, she looks more like her brother Archie in that photo.
In fact, Lilibet is looking so grown up that many royal fans confessed they didn’t recognise her at first.
The last time we saw the young royal she was just a few months old in the Sussex family’s annual Christmas card photo.
Now she’s looking so grown up in the photos shared by London Southbank Centre chair Misan Harriman, who is understood to have snapped them while the Sussexes were in the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Misan also photographed Harry and Meghan for the stunning photos announcing Meghan’s second pregnancy released back in February 2021.
“It was such a privilege to celebrate the 1st birthday of Lilibet with my family and hers! Joy and face painting all around,” he captioned the photos.
Harry and Meghan chose to keep their daughter’s birthday in the UK private, celebrating at Frogmore Cottage with close friends and family.
It’s unclear which, if any, members of the royal family attended the special occasion, though it’s understood the Queen met Lilibet at some point during the Sussexes’ stay in the UK.
A spokesperson for the couple said: “Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain incredibly touched by the countless birthday wishes for their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, and were amazed to learn that people around the world made donations amounting to over $100K to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in her honour.
“They extended their gratitude to all who have shown support for the organization, which is especially near to their hearts.
“In honour of Lilibet’s 1st birthday, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex invited close friends and family to celebrate. Guests gathered for a casual, intimate backyard picnic at Frogmore Cottage.
“Baker Claire Ptak from East London’s Violet Bakery created a special cake for Lilibet. Ptak was also responsible for creating The Duke and Duchess’s wedding cake in 2018.
“Close family friend and guest, Misan Harriman, who attended Lilibet’s special day with his wife and children, took the candid, spontaneous photograph that The Duke and Duchess are pleased to share today.”
This story was originally published on our sister site, New Idea.
