The Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid tribute to their daughter Princess Lilibet on her 5th birthday with a touching tribute

rincess Lilibet is celebrating her 5th birthday on Thursday – and proud parents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shared two adorable unseen photos to celebrate.

The American-born Princess was seen with her gorgeous, bright red hair smiling at her parents, as she celebrated her happy occasion at home in Montecito, California, with her older brother, Prince Archie. The image was accompanied by a heartfelt birthday tribute to the couple’s youngest child, whom Meghan described as their “dream girl”.

“Our dream girl. Happy 5th birthday, Lili [white heart emoji],” wrote Meghan.

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The new picture continues a tradition the Duchess has embraced in recent years, using birthdays and family milestones to share carefully selected snapshots of Archie and Lilibet.

While the Sussexes remain fiercely protective of their children’s privacy, Meghan has increasingly offered followers glimpses into life at the family’s Montecito home through her social media accounts.

Lili has clearly inherited her father, Prince Harry’s, fiery red hair, and looks to be every inch her father’s daughter. And, for example, we have heard her sweet American accent, know she enjoys watching Bluey cartoons, and seen the family make sweet treats for Valentine’s and St Patrick’s Day.

Born in California on 4 June 2021, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was named in honour of both her late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname was Lilibet, and Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Meghan Markle cuddling Lilibet on a boat © Instagram / @meghan
A sweet mother and daughter moment

Lilibet’s fourth birthday celebrations

Last year, Meghan shared an adorable black-and-white photo for her daughter’s birthday, and they were seen sharing a hug while on board a boat.

“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,” the Duchess wrote.

Meghan also shared a heartwarming insight into Lilibet’s close bond with her dad. Harry sweetly held his daughter’s hand while they spent a father-daughter day out in the sun together.

Prince Harry carrying Princess Lilibet, who holds a bunch of balloons© Instagram
Prince Harry with his daughter

Lilibet looked adorable with her hair braided in two plaits beneath a visor. “The sweetest bond to watch unfold,” Meghan captioned the photo. “Daddy’s little girl and favourite adventurer.”

Busy period for Meghan and Harry

The celebrations come after Meghan and Harry celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary at home last month, complete with a lemon and elderflower cake – the same flavour as from their 2018 wedding – and the gift of a bronze penguin sculpture, because penguins “mate for life”.

“When mama and papa, when we got engaged, we had a party with all of our friends, and we said everyone should wear an animal onesie, and we were penguins because they mate for life,” Meghan could be heard telling Archie and Lili.

In a video, Archie and Lilibet sang them a “happy anniversary” to the tune of “happy birthday”, while Harry addressed an envelope to his “one and only”. So adorable!