Harry and Meghan release new picture of Lilibet in honour of her birthday

We’ve finally had our first proper look at the youngest Sussex child, with a sweet new snap of Lilibet taken at her first birthday party.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released the first portrait of their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, in honour of her first birthday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated the occasion with close friends and members of the royal family – including Lilibet’s older brother, Archie, 3 – at the couple’s UK residence, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor on Saturday.

A spokesman described it as a “casual, intimate backyard picnic” featuring a special cake created by Claire Ptak from East London’s Violet Bakery – the same baker who created Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake in 2018.

A close family friend and guest at the party, British photographer Misan Harriman, took a “candid, spontaneous photograph” of the birthday girl on the day, according to the spokesman, which has now been released by the Duke and Duchess.

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Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Picture: Misan Harriman

Harriman also tweeted the picture, along with other images taken on the day, including his wife and children.

In one of the images, a smiling and makeup-free Meghan is seen holding Lili.

Meghan Markle and Lilibet on her first birthday. Picture: Misan Harriman/Twitter

In lieu of gifts, the couple had requested donations to the World Central Kitchen, which resulted in fundraising of over $US100,000 ($A139,000).

The WCK is a charity which provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises.

Harry and Meghan first offered a glimpse of Lili with this Christmas card last year. Picture: Alexi Lubomirski/Handout/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Zara and Mike Tindall’s children Mia, 8, Lena, 3, and Lucas, 1, were all expected at the party on Saturday, along with Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly’s daughters Savannah, 11, and Isla, 10. Other guests expected at the birthday celebration included Archie’s godfather Charlie Van Straubenzee, and his brother Tom, Princess Charlotte’s godfather.

Prince Harry pictured as a one-year-old. Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Frogmore Cottage. Picture: GOR/Getty Images

“It was a lovely do and had everything you’d expect from a child’s birthday party,” a source told The Sun.

“But there was no formal entertainment. The idea was for it to be very relaxed and casual, with people free to pop in and out as they wished.

“It was a nice opportunity for the other royal children to meet Lilibet for the first time.”

It follows a new report by Page Six that Harry and Meghan invited Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children to the birthday party as an olive branch, but the family did not attend.

Instead, the Cambridges – along with their two eldest children, Prince George, 8, and Princess Charlotte, 7 – were in Wales for the day taking part in Platinum Jubilee celebrations.