The Duke and Duchess of Sussex mark their daughter's third birthday with a joyful, private party at their Montecito home, maintaining their tradition for low-key celebration to mark their children's milestones.
- Jun 4, 2024
AceShowbiz - Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's daughter, Princess Lilibet, is turning three on June 4, 2024, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated this joyous occasion with a private party at their lavish Montecito residence. The festivities included close friends, family, and some of Lilibet's own friends, demonstrating the family's close-knit and private nature.
Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born in June 2021, in California, shortly after her parents stepped back from their royal duties and relocated to the U.S. The couple named her after Queen Elizabeth's family nickname, "Lilibet," and her middle name, "Diana," in honor of Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.
Meghan's recent reflections on her children during their trip to Nigeria added a touch of sentimentality to the birthday festivities. She described Archie and Lilibet as "very chatty" and "sweet," showing her affection for her young family.
This year's celebration follows their maintained tradition of keeping their children's birthdays private. Unlike other royal families who release official photos, Harry and Meghan prefer to celebrate these special moments away from public scrutiny. This approach was also adopted for Prince Archie's fifth birthday last month, noted royal observers.
Their private celebrations contrast sharply with the broader expectations for royal occasions but align with their desire to afford their children a semblance of normalcy. Clips from past birthday celebrations have appeared in their Netflix docuseries, "Harry & Meghan," offering fans a rare glimpse into their personal lives.
The couple's recent activities in Nigeria, part of their official engagements, also highlighted Meghan's deep emotional connection with her family. During her speech in Lagos on May 12, which coincided with Mother's Day in the U.S., Meghan expressed how much she missed her children.
She remarked emotionally, "I am very grateful, I am very humbled, and today is Mother's Day... though of course we are missing our children, I'm missing my babies." Her choice of attire - a striking yellow Carolina Herrera gown - was a thoughtful tribute to her daughter, previously worn during her pregnancy announcement for Lilibet in 2021.
While the Sussexes have kept their children largely out of the spotlight, their Netflix series provided intimate home movies and photos, showcasing their dedication to family privacy. Official portraits, like the one released for Lilibet's first birthday, captured by their friend Misan Harriman, continue to mark significant milestones for the family.
The ongoing rift between Harry and the rest of the royal family, particularly concerns about the children's relationship with their royal cousins, further complicates these private celebrations. Despite these challenges, Harry and Meghan prioritize creating happy, private moments for their children, choosing to keep their personal lives away from the intense public and media scrutiny often associated with the royal family.
