Meghan Markle Goes Back To The Beginning To Mark Daughter's 4th Birthday

Meghan Markle is celebrating her daughter Lilibet's fourth birthday with something deeply personal.

The Duchess of Sussex shared a never-before-seen photo from the delivery room, giving royal watchers a rare glimpse into the moment her youngest child arrived.

Since her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has experienced a whirlwind transformation from a working royal in the U.K. to a mother of two living a more private life across the Atlantic. 

Meghan Markle's daughter Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, born on June 4, 2021, was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. She gave fans a rare and touching glimpse into her life as a mom to celebrate her daughter Lilibet's fourth birthday.

The 43-year-old posted two black-and-white photos in honor of her youngest child. The first image shows Meghan cuddling Lilibet during a breezy boat ride, shielding her daughter from the sun as the little girl peeks at the camera from beneath her mom's arm.

The second photo, taken shortly after Lilibet's birth, captures a quiet moment between mother and newborn. Baby Lili reaches toward Meghan's face as she gazes down at her daughter. Meghan shared the images in the two-photo carousel on Instagram, along with a heartfelt birthday message that read:

"Happy birthday to our beautiful girl! Four years ago today, she came into our lives - and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!"

When Meghan and Harry welcomed their second child in 2021, they chose a name rooted deeply in family history and meaning. As Harper's Bazaar reported at the time, the proud parents announced the birth of their daughter, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, just days after her arrival. 

Born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, Lili weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces. In their statement, the couple shared that both Meghan and the newborn were healthy and settling in at home.

Lili's birth came after Meghan and Harry stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the U.S., seeking a more private life away from the public eye. Even so, they made it clear that their daughter's name would reflect their ties to the royal family.

For her first name, the royal couple explained, "Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet." The middle name, Diana, was a tribute to Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in 1997.

Naming their daughter Lilibet Diana stirred controversy for Harry and Meghan, and according to royal insiders, did not sit well with the late Queen. As The Mirror reported, the name Lilibet held deep personal meaning for the late monarch.

It originated when she was a toddler struggling to pronounce "Elizabeth," and her grandfather, King George V, affectionately began calling her "Lilibet." The nickname became an intimate part of her identity throughout her life.

So when Meghan and Harry chose to name their daughter after her private childhood nickname, royal tensions reportedly flared behind the scenes.

In "Charles III: New King, New Court, The Inside Story," author Robert Hardman wrote that one royal aide recalled the Queen being "as angry as I'd ever seen her" following the announcement.

At the time, it was publicly suggested that the Queen had been consulted and had given her blessing, but conflicting views quickly surfaced. According to reports, a Palace source claimed she had not been asked. Other insiders indicated the Queen felt she could not say no.

Before celebrating Lilibet's fourth birthday with heartfelt photos, Meghan opened up about how motherhood had changed her life and how it hadn't unfolded the way she once imagined.

The Blast highlighted Meghan's candid reflections during a podcast episode, where she spoke about raising her son, Prince Archie, and daughter. She recalled once envisioning herself giving public speeches with a baby on her hip, balancing parenting with her professional life. 

"I will say, for myself, especially when they are baby babies and before I was a mom—I've always wanted to be a mom—I was like, 'Oh gosh I'm going to give a speech with a baby on my hip. I had a whole vision," she said. 

Meghan explained that various outside factors shaped both of her pregnancies and early motherhood. Despite the unexpected turns, she made it clear that being a hands-on, working parent remains a core part of her identity. "For me, it's so important my kids see me as a working mom," she shared.

Meghan also offered a glimpse into her personal world as a mother, one built on everyday routines and meaningful gestures. The entrepreneur shared her morning routine, which included preparing breakfast and dropping off her two children at school.

But it was her nighttime habit that revealed a deeper connection. Each evening, Meghan admitted she wrote emails to her children, messages she described as digital time capsules.

The TV personality noted that she set up private email accounts for both kids, where she sent everything from snapshots of daily life to thoughtful notes filled with love. 

She said she plans to hand over the accounts when her children become teenagers, imagining thousands of emails waiting for them at 18. Meghan explained that the intention behind it was to make sure her children always feel seen and valued. 

Happy birthday to Princess Lilibet!