Harry and Meghan welcome baby girl, honour Queen and Diana with name

The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to her second child with Prince Harry, it has been announced. The name has a very special royal nod.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have welcomed their second child, a baby girl, with two very special royal nods.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the birth of their daughter overnight, who they have named Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.

Meghan, 39, is said to be “well” after giving birth in California on Friday morning, the couple announced. Their daughter’s name makes reference to both her grandmother, Princess Diana, and her great grandmother, the Queen.

Lilibet was the Queen’s family nickname and the name Prince Philip used to call her, The Sun reports.

No photos of the newborn or the happy couple have yet been released.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced the baby was a girl with Oprah Winfrey in March. Picture: CBS

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The couple said in a statement: “It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world.

“Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11.40am in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California.

“She weighed 7lbs 11oz (3.5kg). Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home.”

Their new bundle of joy will be a little sister to Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned two in May.

“Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet,” the couple explained.

“Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.

“This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

“The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family.”

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BREAKING: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle have welcomed their daughter! Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born on Friday, June 4. Both mom and baby are “healthy and well,” a Sussex spox says. pic.twitter.com/VVsM6JKJ6f

— Carly Ledbetter (@ledbettercarly) June 6, 2021

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also released a statement on their Archewell website, saying: “On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”

It’s interesting to note the Sussexes’ daughter was born in a US hospital – rumours had been swirling that the Duchess would try to have a home birth, but they seem to be incorrect. Brother Archie was born in the UK a few months before Meghan and Harry moved to California early last year, after stepping down as senior royals.

Meghan and Harry, 36, announced they were expecting their second child on Valentine’s Day.

At the time a spokesperson for the couple said: “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”

The February announcement came exactly 37 years to the day after Princess Diana announced she was pregnant with Prince Harry.

Meghan and Harry released this photo after announcing they were expecting a baby girl. Picture: Misan Harriman/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex via Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released this pregnancy portrait on Valentine’s Day, announcing they were expecting their second child. Picture: Misan Harriman/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex/AFP

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This may well be the last birth announcement for Meghan and Harry, with the Duke recently claiming he wanted “two (kids), maximum”.

It’s wonderful news for the happy couple, after Meghan suffered a miscarriage in July last year.

The former Suits actress revealed the heartbreaking story in an emotional New York Times piece published last November.

The piece drew widespread praise for shining the light on pregnancy loss and breaking down the taboo often associated with it.

Meghan and Harry met on a blind date in London in 2016, before announcing their engagement in November 2017.

Harry and Meghan welcomed their second child at the hospital just minutes from their $14 million dollar Montecito mansion. Picture: BSB / BACKGRID

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at their May 2018 Windsor wedding. Picture: Aaron Chown/WPA Pool/Getty Images

They were married at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in May 2018, and announced their first pregnancy in October that year.